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Reassessing Senior Driving; Is It Time To Hand Over Your Car Keys?

Seniors are living longer, healthier, and more active lives. Because of this, more seniors are on the road driving, and research even shows that they are crashing less often in comparison to 10 years ago. Aging does not mean you should no longer be behind the wheel, but it is important to make sure your health allows it. There comes a point when your reflexes slow down, and your vision deteriorates. Giving up your keys may become a reality. This new reality means less independence, which is not easy for anyone.

There are some warning signs and conditions that determine when it is time to reassess driving

blurred vision out of a car's windshield into the night with lights. — *There are different conditions that can affect a senior’s driving, making it unsafe. These conditions include bad vision, dementia, and sleep apnea.*

. Sometimes, you need a little nudge from concerned family members to realize that it may be time to stop driving. At the end of the day, think of it as providing safety not only for yourself but for other drivers.

Conditions That Affect Driving

Some health conditions and medications can hinder someone’s ability to drive no matter their age. Make sure to talk to your doctor about the potential side effects of medications before you drive with them. This includes if you have or had:

Dementia or Alzheimer’s
Arthritis
Stroke
Hearing or vision problems such as cataracts and glaucoma
Diabetes
Parkinson’s
Sleep Apnea
Sleeping pills, narcotics for certain conditions, and anti-anxiety medications.

Warning Signs It Is Time To Reassess Your Driving

Some seniors will exhibit warning signs while driving, and you or a loved one may have noticed some already. These signs include:

If you have been issued two or more traffic tickets in the past 2 years.
If you have been involved in 2 or more collisions in the past 2 years. This includes close calls, and “near-misses.”

If you have had some “close calls” or multiple accidents within a year, then it may be time to reassess your driving.
Running a red light or stop sign.
Routinely becoming lost, especially in familiar areas.
Inability to recognize the right of way.
Failure to yield or stop at traffic lights or when prompted by signs.
Find yourself speeding or going too slow.
Straddling lanes or weaving between lanes.
Family members voice their concern for your safety or do not feel safe as a passenger.

When Loved Ones Have The Talk

Discussing driving, and when it may be time to limit, or stop it altogether is stressful and hard. For loved ones who decide to have the conversation, approach it with care. Understand that there are many difficulties your family member is facing. Research shows that half of married drivers prefer to hear about these concerns from their spouse, and those that live alone prefer to hear it from their adult children, doctor, or close friend. When you have a conversation with your loved one, be encouraging and supportive. To a senior, it is a loss of freedom, and your goal should feel as if you are making the decision together. Make sure you focus that you are coming from a place of care and sincerity, not contempt. Here are a couple of suggestions on how to approach it,

Ask them specific questions about their personal health and how they feel when driving. These questions can include “Have you noticed any physical changes from your medications?” “Have you visited the eye doctor lately, and what was the outcome?”
Ask what challenges they have faced when driving alone. These questions can include from personal experiences when in the car with them such as “I realized you rolled through the stop sign. Have you had any concerns about driving?”
Schedule an appointment with their doctor. Stress the fact that you want them to be safe, and drive safely. Their doctor will run tests and evaluate if their medication takes a toll on alertness and response times.
Do NOT be confrontational It will only cause them to be defensive.
Remain calm, especially if your loved one becomes angry. It is normal for them to feel upset and experience a range of emotions when they are told they may be an unsafe driver.
Focus on the safety of others. Ask your parent if they feel completely safe driving with their grandchildren in the car. Suggest offering their car to a loved one, such as gifting it to their granddaughter who could use it when she goes to college.
Come to an agreement. If your parent still feels strongly about not giving up their driving ability, offer some suggestions/ a compromise. Some circumstances would be to avoid driving at night and in bad weather. Drive only in familiar places close to home or stay off the highway. Try to avoid as many distractions as possible when driving such as having a conversation or listening to music.
Offer alternatives! This will help your loved one accept it more because it means that they will not lose their ability to travel. Family and friends can set aside time to drive them to places. There are Paratransit for the elderly, or county transportation services for seniors. There are grocery and food delivery services that can
When you have the talk with your loved one, make them understand you’re coming from a place of love, and remain calm. Come to an agreement if possible.

deliver to their door.

After driving for such a long time, it becomes second nature, so it’s not easy to hear that it may be time to stop. The transition may be difficult, but there are alternative transportation methods you can choose from. It is especially important to hear out your spouse or loved one if they have concerns. It comes from a place in regards to safety for you, your grandchildren, and others on the road. For those who are concerned for your loved one, remember to approach the subject with respect and patience. Do not be confrontational, remain calm, and come to an agreement with your loved one. For seniors that are going through this, remain open-minded. It may take a while to adjust to life without driving, but it can be done. If you feel like you can not completely give it up, then at least consider seeing your doctor and come to a compromise of driving in safe conditions. However, if you have experienced any warning signs or have had some close calls, then it is time to rethink driving. No longer driving does not mean you have lost your independence because there are other ways to get around. It means you took the approach to consider your safety and others before a crisis occurs.

Age Gracefully Through Creative Art

Art has been displayed throughout history, dating as far back as the ancient Egyptians using hieroglyphics to tell their stories. Older adults have been living longer, taking on new activities, and adventures. Living through art is one way seniors can remain young, positive, and help keep their brain as vibrant as ever. Art therapy, which includes both music and art, is introduced to many seniors with Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s, aphasia, cancer, and other degenerative diseases. Studies have shown that this therapy can help them both psychologically and physiologically.

older caucasian man painting on a desk with paintings hung up behind him. — *Art therapy has many benefits for seniors, including reducing the risks of cancer, depression, and memory loss.*

According to Bruce Miller, MD, a behavioral neurologist at the University of California, San Francisco Medical Center, “while brains inevitably age, creative abilities do not necessarily deteriorate. Actually, the aging brain responds well to art by allowing the brain’s two hemispheres to work more in tandem. This ability to use one’s creativity throughout a lifetime and the impact of crystallized intelligence gained from the years of accumulated knowledge and life experiences, help to cultivate the aging, creative brain.”

As seniors age, their bodies and health are not the only things that change. Their lifestyle changes as well. Serious health conditions take a toll on some older adults, making them feel depressed, immobile, or helpless. Some seniors are stuck in a retirement home bored with nothing to do. Taking on art as a hobby or therapy will make a huge impact on their lives. It keeps their minds busy, and improves mood, and helps them express themselves, all while allowing them to think in new creative ways. Expressive arts, including music, dance, and writing are great tools that can assist in the aging process. No matter how new it is to you, art is all about creation; there is no such thing as bad art when expressing yourself.

The Positive Effects of Art

Studies have shown that writing can help people overcome trauma and help manage negative emotions.
You can take up the hobby of playing an instrument, or taking pictures. There are different forms of art, and all provide the same positive benefits for seniors.
Engaging in music and art therapies can help with feelings of stress or anxiety. It will improve your mood, especially if you are dealing with new symptoms of memory loss.
For people who have trouble communicating, art is a way to express themselves. The process of creating and interpreting helps improve communication for seniors with communicative disorders.
Helps older adults dealing with grief. Art therapy helps them process their feelings.
Research shows that making art can improve cognitive functions by producing both new neural pathways and thicker, stronger dendrites. Dendrites are the receiving end of a neuron that conducts electrical messages to the neuron cell body for the cell to function
Improves cognition and brain health.
Assists in socializing, helps seniors meet new people, and gets them out of their shells.
Provides a sense of control to those dealing with some medical issues, or older adults who are being taken care of.
Provides relaxation, while encouraging a sense of humor.
Dancing can improve blood pressure and better weight management.
A review published in 2014 suggests that people who learned how to play an instrument, and practice often have improved connectivity between the two hemispheres of their brains.
A 2004 study found that older adults who participated in theater performances had improved psychological well-being after 4 weeks, and showed signs of better cognitive functioning.

People take up art for many reasons, whether because they enjoy it, as a form of therapy to release tension, to communicate, or to express themselves. Art produces creativity and gets your juices flowing. It has so many underlying health benefits most people are unaware of. Knowing how to play an instrument works your brain, drawing, writing, and painting help you communicate with others, and dance gets your body moving, improving circulation. The list goes on for all the cognitive, physical, and emotional benefits of being creative. This is especially true and important for older adults. Art will help seniors age well while promoting a better quality of life. So pick up that paintbrush, and start stroking away.

Enjoying The Sun? Know The Signs Of Dehydration & Heat Exhaustion

It is that time of year again, the sun is out, the birds are singing, and the days are longer. With the sun and summer months, also comes the heat. If you are not hydrated throughout the day, especially if you are outside, the higher your chances of heat stroke. This is especially serious for older adults.

Heat stroke happens when the body overheats to 104 °F or higher. It can be hazardous for older adults, and if not treated, it can permanently damage the brain, heart, kidneys, and possibly lead to death. Older adults do not adjust

Blue sky with couple of white clouds and bright sun. — *The sun is out and it is getting hot. Be aware of dehydration and heat exhaustion! Seniors are at a higher risk*

as well as young people to sudden temperature changes. Other factors such as health conditions, and medications are reasons why the elderly are more vulnerable.

Why Seniors Are At A Higher Risk

As we age, our bodies lose strength with adjusting to temperature. Because seniors sweat less than younger adults, their body temperature remains higher. Add the summer heat to their already warm bodies, and it becomes a deadly combination. This is why seniors suffer from heat stroke more often than younger people. Other contributing high-risk factors are dehydration, prescription medications, and chronic illnesses such as heart and kidney disease, and blood circulation conditions.

Warning Signs

Early warning signs are excessive sweating, tiredness, weakness, muscle cramps, rapid breathing, flushed skin, confusion, slurred speech, irritability, and headaches. These are all direct signs that your body is dehydrated and needs water. If you ignore immediate treatment, then the results may be nausea, fainting, and vomiting.

Prevention Is Key

In order to prevent heat exhaustion or a stroke occurrence, hydration is key Here are a few tips to stay cool this

Clear glass being filled with water by a pitcher. — *In order to prevent heat exhaustion or stroke, you must stay hydrated! Drink more water than you normally would throughout the day.*

summer:

- Drink plenty of water. Instead of drinking water all at once, drink a cup at every meal, and take sips throughout the day. Drink more water than normal.

- Stay indoors during the mid-day. Between the hours of 12pm-4pm is the hottest time period

- Wear cooler clothing. Wearing loose, lightweight clothing will reduce excess body heat.

- Take cool showers or baths to help your body maintain temperature.

- Relax. Do not do any strenuous activity, especially outside when it’s hot.

- Stay in air-conditioned areas. If your home does not have air conditioning, then go to the library, grocery store, a friend’s house or other places that are when outside temperatures climb Make sure to get an air conditioner in your house during summer when the heat waves occur. Fans are just not good enough when it is smoldering outside. They trick the body into thinking it is cooler than it actually is.

Know the warning signs so you can take action.

What If You Are Experiencing Heat Exhaustion/Stroke?

If you are experiencing some warning signs or just feel off, then remove restrictive clothing immediately. Rest in a cool, shady area, or get to an air-conditioned room. Drink water and take a cool shower or bath. Monitor your body heat with a thermometer and increase your water intake. If you are alone, call your neighbor, family, or 911 for help.

Heat exhaustion and heat stroke can be life-threatening, especially as you age. Heat stroke deaths are on the rise from the dangerously hot summers that have been occurring in recent years. Once your body temperature rises above 104, changes in brain function occur, with the possibility of permanent damage. Between 2015 and 2016, extreme heat deaths more than doubled from 45 to 94. Last year in 2018, 54 people died during a heat wave in Quebec, many of them over 65. Know the signs, stay cool and hydrated. Summer only comes once a year, so enjoy it as much as you can, responsibly!

2019 Top Easy Exercise For Seniors

Physical activity is beneficial for seniors to help prevent a lot of serious health conditions such as heart disease, and a stroke. Physical activity can be any activity that raises your heart rate and builds aerobic endurance. After 4-6 weeks of consistent exercise, you will feel more comfortable doing your work out and carrying on with your day. Regular fitness will help you feel better and help control your blood pressure, cholesterol levels, and weight.

Your muscles, ligaments, tendons, and bones will become stronger, which is important to continue day to day activities as you continue to age. You should always consult with your doctor when beginning a regime so they can guide you through workouts for your needs.

Benefits

Regular exercise has proven to:

Maintain weight and burn excess calories
Build endurance
Help reduce falls and injuries
Boost mood and quality of sleep
Improve cholesterol levels
Produce optimum heart health, lung, bones, muscles, and vascular system by delivering oxygen and nutrients to tissues.

Start Slow

If you have not been physically active, it is important to start slow and gradually build your endurance, and strength. Begin with walking for 5-10 minutes every day if possible, and over sometimes increase it to 30 minutes at a time. Once you are able to go 30 minutes at a time, you can add more challenges.

Check Your Heart Rate

When you exercise regularly, you increase your heart's health. — *When you exercise regularly, you increase your heart’s health.*

Exercise should increase your heart rate to about 75% of the maximum predicted heart rate. A simple way to calculate this is to subtract your age from 220 to get your maximum heart rate. For example, at the age of 70, the maximum heart rate target is 150. When starting to work out, it is safe to start with a low target of about 78-80 beats per minute, and then work your way up after a couple of weeks.

Remember to always start slow and safe with exercises such as walking, or swimming, and then over time add more challenges to your routine, such as balance, flexibility and resistance exercises.

If you experience any form of chest pain/tightness, shortness of breath, dizziness, or faintness during or after your exercise, stop immediately. Do not continue any exercises, and notify your doctor.

Tips To Help Seniors Manage Holiday Stress

The holidays are supposed to be a joyful time, but in reality it is a stressful time for a lot of people. This is especially true for seniors, because it can accompany grief, as well as depression. Travel plans, party planning, shopping, and entertaining guests are just some of the stressful things seniors may deal with. While on the other hand, some can not be with their families during the happy season. Here are some helpful tips to keep in mind, and exercise in order to reduce the stress of the holidays.

*Create a schedule for when you travel to make it less stressful.*

A Solid Schedule

The holidays can get very hectic. Traveling to see your loved ones is one of those hectic times. It is important to set a schedule and stick to it. Work around your current day to day schedule. This includes taking your medications on time, and eating and sleeping as close to your normal times as you can. It can be a lot to travel, and then try to stay up late with family members. But it is important to take care of yourself too, and get the rest you need.

Be Realistic

If you can not travel during the holidays, it is okay. It can be both physically and mentally exhausting for anyone, especially as we get older. If you do decide to travel, then make sure you get enough time for rest. Try not to put too much pressure on yourself to make it somewhere if you are not capable.

Watch Your Wallet

A lot of seniors live on a fixed income, so if you do, then you are not alone. Because of this, it can be really stressful to buy gifts, food, pay your bills, and pay for travel expenses. Plan ahead and stick to a realistic budget.

Eat Well

*During the holidays, make sure to eat as healthy as possible.*

What else can we expect during the holidays other than good eating, and lots of sugar? As much as you want to indulge in all the delicious and savory sweets, you must be mindful. For seniors, it is especially important to watch what we eat. Try not to eat too many sweets, and stick to nutritious foods such as fruits, proteins, and vegetables. Eating these foods will help your body fight against diseases like the flu. It is important to stay hydrated, and drink plenty of water.

Speak Up

If you are overwhelmed, depressed, or just need help getting around, then speak up. The holidays are a super stressful time, and can bring on depression, especially if you lost a loved one. People do not want to let their family down, or have them worry, so a lot of times they will keep our feelings of stress and overwhelm to themselves. Speak up and notify your family so they are aware and can accomodate you and your needs. Families love and support each other, so do not feel like you have to please everyone. If you can not make it to something, or plan to have family over your house, ask a family member for help. Take some of the stress off yourself. Make sure you are healthy and your energy is up. Your family will help, but only if they are aware.

Taking care of yourself is the most important thing you can do during the holidays, because if you do not, then you will not be around for it. Your family members are there to help when you need them to be, but this can only happen if you talk about it. Tell them what kind of schedule you need to follow, your limitations, and the help you may need. In order to reduce the stress of the holidays, plan wisely with your expenses, and time. It is okay to indulge during the holidays, but be mindful of your health. If you plan to travel, stick to your schedule and rest. Do things in moderation if you need to. The holidays are about being happy, feeling loved, and enjoying your family. The only way to do this is to be prepared, and minimize stress as much as possible.

Symptoms of Mental Illness in Seniors

With age comes some onset mental health issues. Depression and mood disorders are widespread amongst older adults. Most of the time it goes undiagnosed and untreated, which only worsens the conditions. Of course the person going through it is often unaware of the mental illness. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, CDC, it is estimated that about 20% of adults 65 and older have one or more mental health conditions. There are some symptoms and risk factors to look out for and recognize when help is needed.

Risk Factors

One of the problems that make it hard to diagnose mental health issues, is the fact that seniors will complain about physical problems than psychiatric ones. There are some risk factors that can trigger mental illnesses.

Alcohol or substance abuse
Chronic pain or disease
Physical disabilities
Grief or the loss of partner
Loneliness/Social Isolation
Medication interactions
Malnutrition or poor diet
Change of environment or major changes
Dementia-causing illness

Symptoms of Mental Illness

Sometimes we become forgetful as we get older, but once it begins to occur more often, it is a sign something is wrong. The most common mental illnesses a senior will experience is bipolar disorder, anxiety disorders, depression,

*Social withdrawl is one of the symptoms of a mental illness.*

and eating disorders. There are some simple symptoms that can be a warning sign to a mental health issue. Signs to look for are:

Changes in appetite, and weight
Changes in appearance, including maintenance of home.
Short-term memory issues, or memory loss.
Change in mood, feeling depressed for longer than a week.
Stressed or worried feelings.
Trouble managing finances, or handling tasks with numbers.
Increased aggression, aggressive behavior.
Physical issues without explanation such as headaches, constipation, aches, etc.
Loss of energy, or sleep problems.
Suicidal thoughts, thoughts of helplessness, or worthlessness.
Losing interest in things you enjoy
Social withdrawal

When a mental illness is discovered in a senior early on, it makes the situation better, more treatable. It is important to talk to your doctor with any of these issues you are experiencing. The more proactive you are, the faster it is to treat and prevent further issues. The worst thing you or anyone can do is brush it off. Do not let something like this slide, we are talking about your health. You are the key to living a healthier life, physically and mentally. So if there is a concern, or you begin to notice changes in your mental state, don’t hesitate to seek help. Talk to a loved one, or your family doctor.

Tag: senior health