Throughout this week, we’ve covered several important points regarding senior driving, from statistics that show the rise of elderly drivers on the road and accidents involving senior drivers, to how age can affect your driving.

As we’ve mentioned, the concern for our aging loved ones behind the wheel is certainly a legitimate one, with more 5,500 older adults killed and more than 183,000 injured in motor vehicle crashes in 2008 alone.

However, age affects us in many different ways. In some instances, one person may be unfit to drive by the age of 65, while others can possibly drive beyond that. That’s why it’s important to be aware of your state of health and limitations, which is what we covered earlier.

Now that you have a better understanding of how age affects driving, we’re going to talk about ways to continue to maintain your independence as you age.

Exercise regularly.

All in all, exercise is a wonderful way to maintain your independence, and increase your quality of life.

In regards to driving, strength exercises such as lifting weights can help with getting in and out of cars, as well as turning the steering wheel, whereas flexibility exercises like yoga help you move your legs on the pedals, or turn your head in all directions to see your surroundings.

For more, see our series on The Benefits of Exercise.

Check your medications.

Ask your pharmacist or doctor to go over all of your medications in order to see which ones cause side effects (e.g. drowsiness) that may affect your driving.

Check your hearing/vision.

Checking your hearing and vision annually helps to improve/maintain your ability to be aware of your surroundings.

Maintain a good sleep schedule.

Lack of sleep and fatigue affect our ability to concentrate, as well as our strength. Maintaining a good sleep schedule can help prevent drowsiness, which is very dangerous on the road.

Limit driving to the daytime/good weather conditions.

It can be extremely difficult to drive during the nighttime or in bad weather conditions. So, it is best to avoid driving in these situations unless absolutely necessary.

Plan ahead.

Always figure out the best route to your desired destination before getting behind the wheel. It is also best to avoid heavy traffic, which often occurs during the early morning (7-8 AM) and mid afternoon (5-6 PM) when people are heading to/leaving from work.

Limit distractions in your car.

Driving can be difficult when we are distracted. To avoid this, prevent distractions such as listening to a loud radio, talking on your phone, texting, eating, or searching for items in your bag or back seat.

Driving in old age can be difficult, but is not altogether impossible. By taking the proper steps to maintain your health and ensure your safety, you can help to maintain your independence for many years to come.

Throughout all of next week, we will discuss issue of figuring out when driving is no longer safe, and how to address such an issue. In the meantime, if you have any questions or concerns about the information we’ve discussed above, please don’t hesitate to give us a call. We’re always here to help!

Physicians’ Choice Private Duty Assisted Living “currently serving Omaha, Eastern Nebraska and Western Iowa “provides seniors and their families a complete understanding of geriatric care options and helps families maneuver through the challenges of the system. Get you free Cost Comparison guide by clicking here. Or contact us for a free consultation or just to say hello!

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“Physicians’ Choice Private Duty Assisted Living solves the challenges families face in caring for aging parents, with a focus on strategies that keep them in their homes. To learn more about our solutions, visit http://www.private-duty.pchhc.com.”

 

 

For many, driving is a rite of passage to adulthood and more often than not, the beginning of ones independence.

As such, it shouldn’t come as a surprise that many people would feel reluctant to turn over their keys simply because they’ve gotten older.

Still, the concern over when it becomes unsafe to drive is one that worries many families of the loved ones who continue to get behind the wheel in their old age.

Throughout this week, we’ll discuss a wide variety of topics related to senior driving, from the rising number of senior drivers, to how age affects driving, maintaining your independence, and more.

For today, we’ll start with some basic facts in regards to senior driving. Take a look below:

The rise in elderly drivers

In recent years, the number of elderly drivers has steadily risen. According to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention, there were 33 million licensed drivers ages 65 and older in the U.S, which is a 23% increase from 1999.

And this number is only expected to explode in the coming years.

With Baby Boomers making their way into retirement, it is projected that by 2030, 85% to 90% of the 70 million Americans older than 65 will have driver’s licenses, according to auto insurer AAA.

Accidents do happen

In 2008, more than 5,500 older adults were killed, and more than 183,000 were injured in motor vehicle crashes. According to the CDC, this amounts to 15 older adults killed and 500 injured in crashes on average every day.

Statistics like these raise concern over whether or not certain measures should be taken to help ensure the safety of our loved ones who wish to drive in their old age.

In more recent news, the unfortunate passing of 88-year-old Lorraine McKaig may also serve as a reminder that accidents can and do occur to senior drivers; McKaig had crashed into a fence while driving to her destination. And, although the report notes that the official cause of death was from heart disease, it does bring into question whether or not McKaig was well enough to drive in the first place.

There are steps that older adults can take to maintain their independence

While the risk of injury does increase as you age, there are still ways to help you maintain your ability to drive and thus your independence, such as taking the proper steps to ensure that you are in good health, both physically and mentally.

As Jim Bassett, a senior who continues to drive at the age of 72, says, “Driving, to me, is an individual thing. There’s people in their 80s who are quite capable, and there’s people in their 40s I don’t think should drive. If you’re capable, I could see no reason why you should give up your driving.”

On Wednesday, we will outline how age affects your ability to drive. In the meantime, if you have any questions or concerns about the information we’ve discussed above, please do not hesitate to give us a call. We’re always here to help!

Physicians’ Choice Private Duty Assisted Living “currently serving Omaha, Eastern Nebraska and Western Iowa “provides seniors and their families a complete understanding of geriatric care options and helps families maneuver through the challenges of the system. Get your free Cost Comparison guide by clicking here. Or contact us for a free consultation or just to say hello!

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“Physicians’ Choice Private Duty Assisted Living solves the challenges families face in caring for aging parents, with a focus on strategies that keep them in their homes. To learn more about our solutions, visit http://www.private-duty.pchhc.com.”

 

 

On Monday, we gave you an introduction to sleeping problems in the elderly. As we mentioned, having a good nights sleep is vital to maintaining our health, which is why it is so important to understand the ins and outs of sleeping, including why we sometimes have difficulty sleeping.

So today, we’re going to talk about specific sleep disorders, as well as other causes that may result in difficulty sleeping. Take a look below:

Sleep disorders

Sleep apnea. The most common sleep disorder among adults, sleep apnea occurs when your breathing is disrupted during sleep. Sleep apnea results in a lack of oxygen to the brain and body, making it difficult for people to get a proper nights rest.

According to WebMD, there are two types of sleep apnea:

• Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA): The more common of the two forms of apnea, it is caused by a blockage of the airway, usually when the soft tissue in the back of the throat collapses during sleep.
• Central sleep apnea: Unlike OSA, the airway is not blocked, but the brain fails to signal the muscles to breathe due to instability in the respiratory control center

*It should be noted that snoring doesn’t necessarily mean a person has sleep apnea. For a proper diagnosis/treatment, seek the advice of a medical expert.

 

Treatment for sleep apnea varies, depending on the severity of the case. In some instances, a doctor may advice certain lifestyle changes such as weight loss, exercise, or changes in sleeping positions. In more serious cases, a doctor may suggest surgery, or a Continuous Positive Airway Pressure (CPAP), a treatment in which a mask is worn over the nose and/or mouth that regulates airflow while you sleep.

Restless Legs Syndrome (RLS)

RLS is a disorder of the part of the nervous system that affects the legs. People with RLS often feel uncomfortable sensations in their legs and an irresistible urge to move their legs in order to relieve the sensation. As a result, RLS can often affect our sleeping habits and cause us to wake up through the night.

While there are currently no medical tests to diagnose RLS, doctors may use blood tests and other exams to rule out other conditions. Treatment such as exercise, leg massages, or changes in sleeping habits are targeted at easing symptoms.

Other causes

Outside of these disorders, there are various other causes that may impact sleep habits as well. In order to pinpoint the cause, it is best to seek the advice of a medical professional.

These may include the following (adapted from helpguide.org):

• Poor sleep habits
• Pain or medical illness
• Depression
• Medications
• Lack of exercise
• Stress

On Friday, we will round off our series with a post on ways to help you maintain proper sleeping habits. As always, if you have any questions or concerns about your loved ones health, please feel free to contact us at anytime!

Physicians’ Choice Private Duty Assisted Living “currently serving Omaha, Eastern Nebraska and Western Iowa “provides seniors and their families a complete understanding of geriatric care options and helps families maneuver through the challenges of the system. Get your free Cost Comparison guide by clicking here. Or contact us for a free consultation or just to say hello!

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“Physicians’ Choice Private Duty Assisted Living solves the challenges families face in caring for aging parents, with a focus on strategies that keep them in their homes. To learn more about our solutions, visit http://www.private-duty.pchhc.com.”

 

 

Throughout these past two weeks, we’ve discussed a wide variety of topics surrounding elderly depression.

Depression can cause serious harm to your loved one if untreated, which is why it’s so important to help your aging parent manage their depression as soon as possible.

To round off our series, we’re going to talk about several options you and your loved one can consider to help manage their depression. Take a look below:

Seeking Medical Assistance

Seeking out a medical opinion from a professional is an extremely important step to helping your loved one manage their depression. Not only does it help you gauge the severity of their depression, it also helps you seek out treatment in a more organized manner, rather than guessing and prolonging their experience.

Another important thing to consider is that seeking out medical advice may also narrow the possibility of other illnesses, such as dementia, which has similar symptoms to depression. Doing so can help increase the chance of proper treatment, sooner rather than later, which may improve your parents life drastically.

Medical Treatment

Once you’ve sought out a medical opinion, your doctor may offer you a few different options for medical treatment. In some instances, a doctor may prescribe a combination of medical treatments depending on what they find necessary.

Here are some of the medical treatments you can expect:

Medicine

• Antidepressant treatment: According to WebMD, most available antidepressants are believed to be equally effective in elderly adults. However, it should be noted that elderly people are more sensitive to medicines and in some cases may already take medicines that could conflict with an antidepressant. As such, it’s important to make sure that you and your doctor find the right balance.

Psychotherapy or counseling

Your doctor may also prescribe some form of psychotherapy or counseling, which can help to address underlying causes rather than just the symptoms. These may include the following:

• Supportive counseling
• Therapy
• Support groups

Managing Depression at Home

Another important aspect of managing depression is taking initiative outside of seeking medical treatment. Here are just a few ways your aging parent can help to manage their depression:

• Exercise
• Connect/reconnect with others
• Maintain a healthy diet
• Maintain a balanced sleep schedule
• Finding new hobbies or returning to old ones
• Volunteering
• Caring for a pet

Managing depression can be a rather difficult task”especially as you age. However, by taking the proper steps to understand depression, as well as the initiative to seek out proper treatment, your loved one can manage their depression and improve their quality of life drastically.

At Encompass, we strive to ensure the best quality of life through all stages of the aging process, and that means going through the good and the bad with you. If you are concerned about your loved ones well being or have any questions, please feel free to give Encompass a call. We are here to help.

Physicians’ Choice Private Duty Assisted Living “ currently serving Omaha, Eastern Nebraska and Western Iowa“provides seniors and their families a complete understanding of geriatric care options and helps families maneuver through the challenges of the system. Get your free Cost Comparison guide by clicking here. Or contact us for a free consultation or just to say hello!

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photo credit: SalFalko via photopin cc

“Physicians’ Choice Private Duty Assisted Living solves the challenges families face in caring for aging parents, with a focus on strategies that keep them in their homes. To learn more about our solutions, visit http://www.private-duty.pchhc.com.”

 

 

Last week, we discussed the various aspects of elderly depression, from a brief overview (i.e. the physical effects, suicide rates, and the importance of addressing such issues), to the causes of depression, and finally the physical signs of depression.

Many elderly loved ones may experience a form of depression that goes unnoticed because they aren’t willing to open up about their experiences. This is often due to the stigma attached to them, which in turn requires a little detective work on your end.

Last week, we gave you the physical signs of elderly depression, and to complete our list, today, we’re going to talk about a few of the mental signs that may indicate that your loved one has elderly depression. Take a look below:

• Frequent mood swings. Perhaps the most common sign of depression, your loved one may experience extreme changes in mood, such as going from an extremely happy mood to extremely sad or upset. It’s often difficult to know when a mood change will strike. They may occur from day to day, or within a matter of hours from one another. The cause of these mood swings may not be so apparent, and often seems small or trivial to the outsider who doesn’t understand depression.
• Loss of interest in hobbies or withdrawal from social activities. You may also notice that your parent is beginning to lose interest in things that were once important to them, such as hobbies, friends, and even family. In turn, your parent may be reluctant to see their friends, leave home, or engage in any sort of activity, and may make comments about the pointlessness of these things that were extremely important to them at one point in time.
• Increased feeling of guiltiness. Your parent may also express a lack of self-regard, which is often followed by extreme feelings of guilt, such as feelings of worthlessness or worries about being a burden.
• Thoughts of suicide. Thoughts of suicide are very real among the elderly, and can prove to be fatal if they go unnoticed. If you’ve heard your parents make frequent remarks about the desire to die, or any mention of suicidal thoughts, be sure to seek attention immediately.

Depression is a very serious issue that affects many aging parents. Here at Encompass, we believe that it’s important to have a full understanding of what elderly depression entails.

For the rest of the week, we’ll be discussing ways you can help your parents overcome their depression. In the meantime, if you have any questions or concerns about your loved one, please feel free to give us a call. We’re here to help.

Physicians’ Choice Private Duty Assisted Living “ currently serving Omaha, Eastern Nebraska and Western Iowa “provides seniors and their families a complete understanding of geriatric care options and helps families maneuver through the challenges of the system. Get your free Cost Comparison guide by clicking here. Or contact us for a free consultation or just to say hello!

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photo credit: opensourceway via photopin cc

“Physicians’ Choice Private Duty Assisted Living solves the challenges families face in caring for aging parents, with a focus on strategies that keep them in their homes. To learn more about our solutions, visit http://www.private-duty.pchhc.com.”