And for the same reasons that LIBERALISM and guns don't mix.
Alzheimer's, liberalism... both much more like than unlike.
Posted on 11/29/2005 1:00:06 AM PST by freepatriot32
Hunting season brings concerns for gun safety in the hands of persons with Alzheimer's disease. While it may seem for some that hunting and handling guns has been a lifelong skill, the complex mental skills required by the safe handling of guns are usually lost early in the process of dementia.
Studies into the behavior of those with Alzheimer's disease and related dementias indicate that threatening and unsafe behavior caused by impaired judgment has been found to occur in 30 to 50 percent of persons with AD. The presence of guns could contribute to serious consequences of life threatening injury or death.
Suggested Tips for Gun Safety:
Do not assume that the person with dementia can safely handle a gun or has retained the complex mental skills that require its use.
Remove all guns (and other weapons) and ammunition from the house. If unable to remove the guns from the household, they must be put in a safe place (a locked cabinet or drawer). Under no circumstances should the person with dementia have unsupervised access to a gun.
It is not enough to just unload a gun or place a trigger lock on a gun. Persons with dementia, especially those in early stages, may find a way around these obstacles.
Ask your family member's doctor to talk honestly about giving up the use of a gun. Place the emphasis on safety, blaming the disease as opposed to blaming the person for unsafe behavior.
Explain to any hunting companions why handling a gun is no longer possible for your family member with Alzheimer's disease. Encourage them to continue to invite your family member on the hunt, but participating in a different way.
Ask your local police or sheriff's department to assist you in disposing of a gun if you are unsure how to do so.
This information was submitted by the Alzheimer's Association.
What about knife throwing performances? This isn't a real problem.
Doing what? Getting lost? These people wander off. Somehow, I don't think taking a person with AD into the woods is very wise.
Have you ever seen a person die of Alzheimer's? I sincerely doubt it.
It's a terrible disease. I can't think of anything worse.
Alzheimer's is the cruelest disease I've ever had to face. Handling guns is one thing, but complex tasks that most take for granted like balancing the checkbook, paying bills or driving the car become absolutely impossible for the one suffering from dementia.
My father suffered from the disease. My brother removed all his guns from the house, for obvious reasons. Dad told us that a bunch of young thuugs came in one night. The thugs beat him up and robbed him, guns and all.
Good thing he didn't have his guns that night.
I think the point he was trying to make was, that this is not a common problem. Lets say some group hysterically anounces that 90 yr old grannies shouldn't drive formula one cars- is this really a problem?.
I am not making light of Alzheimer's, but as soon as I read this, my first question was, "1.2 billion dollar gummint program grant" ?
(the article is actually twice as long - but they forgot to publish it)
ping
"From my experience with my mother and mother-in-law who had AD, I can guarantee you that the most dangerous thing in the house is the KITCHEN STOVE!"
My beloved granny died at 95 from AD, and you are correct. She almost burned the house down many times from putting empty pots on the high heat, and when they started to smoke, throwing them into the garbage can. It is a terrible disease, but talking about hunting and serious AD is BS. No reasonable person would allow one of their close relatives with AD to have access to guns. Period. I'm a hunter, but my family is smart enough to know that if my mind goes before my body, my guns will be gone.
With my Mom, it was the car keys. We just put a few keys on her ring and the problem was over. The one time she insisted on driving somewhere, I just parked her car on the street. She couldn't find it and went on to something else. }:^)
Removing and hiding the knobs worked for me.
And for the same reasons that LIBERALISM and guns don't mix.
Alzheimer's, liberalism... both much more like than unlike.
Have you ever seen a person die of Alzheimer's? I sincerely doubt it.
xxxxxxxxxxxx
Have you ever read the story of the old indian squaw who walked out into the winter snowstorm, because she knew she was a burden on the family unit?? When your time to go is here, its time to go and the laws of our land do not allow graceful exist. So the smart elderly knows he or she only has one choice.
>With my Mom, it was the car keys. We just put a few keys on her ring and the problem was over. The one time she insisted on driving somewhere, I just parked her car on the street. She couldn't find it and went on to something else. }:^)<
We removed the spark plugs, and when the car wouldn't start, told mom that it was broken, and could not be repaired.
Sneaky, but effective.
I knew a guy who had to disarm a senile, legally blind guy holding a .25 auto. It's one of those weird stories where a guy had to disarm a guy with a gun, but only by the strictest definition of the word "gun". He got it done without harm, without getting shot, but I wouldn't have wanted to be him.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.