We left the walker at home this time and took the wheelchair. To-date our experience has been such that most places don't have wheelchairs. They may have a few electric-carts, but not everyone can use one.
Maybe I should take a few people with vision and coordination problems out to shop and let them cruise around the store in an electric-cart to make a point.
The wheelchair worked out pretty good. I had mi-mamma (see the movie Pecker) push the chair until she was pooped out. Then she sat in it unless she wanted to walk around again. The difficulties were trying to find a handi-capped parking spot close enough such that she could walk in pushing the chair without too much difficulty, however, there were not any spots available.
My mother is one in a billion out there. If stores want the senior generation to spend their trillions at their place of business, they should get-on-board.
While I was in the store there were at least two elderly couples who brought in their own wheel chairs and were also trying to push a shopping cart (!?) I did help one customer by pushing his cart at least from the check out line to the door while he pushed the woman in the wheel chair (what is wrong with this picture?). Where is the customer service?
Wheel chairs are cumbersome and heavy. It would help to have wheelchairs readily available at stores (at least the stores who want the trillions that the baby boomers and their parents have to spend). Also provide baskets and bags to attach to the back of the wheelchairs as well as a cup holder for the Starbucks drinks.
Walking around, shopping, and snacking at Fred Meyer should be something to look forward to. This is a great place to get some exercise and do some shopping. Fred Meyer may want to entice the senior shopper with a special day with special discounts, coffee at less than $5.00 a cup and treats.
With the trillions at stake, businesses will want to be the first on their block to lure in the shoppers with the money to spend. Often times seniors are accompanied by a care giver such as a family member, also hoping to conveniently spend money - don't make it so hard.
I Give Fred Meyer a C-
