Tassie Devil

Hi Libbye Thanks for your note and expressions of empathy. Yes we have my eldest son and family not too far away but their lives are busy with growing teenages so we only see the whole family about once a month although my son does come here to help me with more strenuous outside work from time to time. And my daughter comes up from Hobart, 200km away, from time to time so we also enjoy herr visits. Unfortunately my wife's dementia (not Altzheimer's but the net result is similar) is slowly progressing so comprehension is now more challenging with dates and times for events and appointments often confused. We often enjoy a game of canasta with the aforementioned rellies so I've been playing two handed with her to mainstain her skills but to answer your question, no, no one has come here to play as a result of my earlier post. We are fortunate here in Australia that there are many caring Government services available to help with people in our position but those services have grown like Topsy and are not co-ordinated so navigating them can be challenging and frustrating at times. They involve a big bureaucracy so are ending up expensive to the public purse for what is the end product for the consumer. But I guess it keeps employment levels up!!! As medical discoveries progress, more and more of us are going into our 80s with various ailments with associated costs. Just how much individuals and the Governments can continue to fund is a big question, particularly when there is such a distaste to for increased taxation to pay for it. Not a personal concern but one for the upcoming seniors!!! Enjoy your retirement and travel while you are willing and able.

Hi Eileen Great. Please call us on 03 6328 1237 some time soon (we are both retired so usually home) and we can work out something. I'll attach a map showing where we live. John

Hi There everyone. Came across this thread so have joined with the idea of possibly making social contact with someone and welcoming them to this lovely place to live. As you might see from my profile I'm a born and bred Tasweigian with relatives here, in the UK and USA but am currently living in the same area first settled and named by my great great grandfather when he emigrated here from England nearly 200 years ago. My wife and I are both in our 80's but have few commitments so are looking for more social contact - canasta playing in particular. For years we played once a week with friends in Launceston, alternating at their place then ours, playing to the accompaniment of nice music + nice wine with nibbles. Unfortunately their health problems have caused a cessation of play with them so we are looking for others. I should add my lovely wife is suffering from early dementia so I do have another reason to seek social activity. She can still play Canasta quite well but could not cope with learning Bridge, a game much more popular. But regardless of the cards, get in touch if you would like to make contact with this old Tassie fogie!! John