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The title of this post can mean a lot of things. If we are ill, we have to commit to getting better, being compliant with medications and clinicians guidance, making the effort. If we are golfers, it means beating balls, … Continue reading
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Last year, Forbes published an article that those of us in elder care and home care already understood very well. The article, by Robert J. Szczerba (@RJSzczerba), talks about the fact that coming home from the hospital can be a … Continue reading
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In the interests of full disclosure, I will admit that my wife, the co-owner of Support For Home In-Home Care, is ethnically Chinese and was born in Singapore. So, when something of interest happens there, she will either pass it … Continue reading
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In my last post, I talked about the National Aging in Place Council annual meeting and some of the findings presented there, including some excellent work from the folks at Georgia Tech. There are a number of “possible solutions” – … Continue reading
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The National Aging in Place Council, at its 2015 Annual Meeting, spent a lot of time on a number of issues that our society, as a whole, and elders in particular are facing. The meeting report is well worth reading, … Continue reading
The Wall Street Journal has a very good article on aging, titled, “To Age Well, Change How You Feel About Aging“. While some of it is, okay, just common sense, a good portion is really thought stimulating.
We all understand the importance of attitude in our lives. This article reinforces that:
In test after test, researchers are finding that if we think about getting older in terms of decline or disability, our health likely will suffer. If, on the other hand, we see aging in terms of opportunity and growth, our bodies respond in kind.
One of the problems facing folks, as they age, is the plethora of negative stereotypes about aging in our society. Elders and those approaching that status actually have to resist allowing those stereotypes to bring them down, mentally, to avoid negative consequences, physically.
Many seniors are, in fact, doing a great job with that assignment:
So, if you are feeling negative about the aging process, STOP IT! It impacts you and it impacts the seniors around you. Stay positive to stay healthy! That is what many elders are doing:
For much more on this topic, click on the WSJ story link at the top.
Best wishes. Bert
Joan Medeiros is an elder law attorney in Sacramento to whom I have given credit in the past for some very good ideas. Here, I want to give her credit for two reasons. The first is the topic – older drivers. The second reason is some solid ideas for families – and elders – on that topic.
Below, I have pasted her latest email. Since she does not have a blog site that I know of, I cannot just paste a URL. I don’t think she will sue me. 🙂
Turning Over the Keys: Helping older drivers make the tough decisionÂ
We all want to be in control, to go where we want at our leisure. Â As we age, however, our senses and reaction times begin to slow which can make getting behind the wheel increasingly hazardous. It is important to be realistic about the driving abilities of loved ones as they reach a certain stage and to prepare accordingly. Not only will it keep seniors safe, but planning ahead will help them financially as they make other arrangements for transportation.
The first step is to reduce the need to drive. Find ways to bring the things they need right to them, like ordering groceries online for delivery and encouraging in-home appointments. Suggest that they invite friends and family over for regular visits instead of going out. They may be surprised by how many things are possible from the comfort of their own home.
For the times your loved ones need to, or want to, venture elsewhere, look into other transportation options. Although there is usually no need to quit driving all at once, look to family, friends, taxis, and public transportation when you can, especially for longer trips. Use the money you’ve been saving, along with what would have been spent on gas, on alternate modes of transportation. Their town may even have designated senior transportation services.
The time to start making this transition may be sooner than you or your loved ones think. Don’t wait until an accident leaves them with no alternative. It may be time to start talking about limiting driving if they report noticing subtle difficulties, like trouble reading traffic signs or delayed breaking. Keep an eye out for small dings in your loved one’s car or surrounding items, like the mailbox or garage door, along with slower response time or difficulty finding their way around familiar territory. Ask them to watch for these things as well.
Asking a loved one to turn over their keys can be tough but with an open dialogue, the right support system and reasonable alternatives in place to ensure that they can continue to live an active lifestyle, a smooth transition is feasible.
One of the most important points Joan makes is, don’t wait for an accident or piles of tickets. Your loved ones’ lives – and those of others – are far more important than driving.
Best wishes, and add your thoughts, please. Bert
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An article at HealthITAnalytics.com takes a big step in the right direction, concerning making Electronic Health Records (EHR) more valuable in the provision of health care. The American Academy of Nursing issued a policy statement that EHR “are incomplete and … Continue reading
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I know that sometimes my writing can come across as just a bit opinionated and blunt. 🙂 Guilty as charged. However, I try to make sure my writing is based on data, knowledge and research – doing my homework. I … Continue reading
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An article in NowItCounts.com absolutely nails it! I have been poking and prodding and nagging at folks, in this blog and elsewhere, to take planning for the aging experience much more seriously than most people do. Well, along comes this … Continue reading
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