For many of us, driving is a key aspect of maintaining our freedom and independence as we age. That’s why so many seniors are hesitant to stop driving, even after it becomes unsafe. But it's normal for our driving abilities to change as we get older. As we age, factors such as decreased vision, impaired hearing, slowed motor reflexes, and worsened health conditions can become a problem. Aging also tends to result in a reduction of strength, coordination, and flexibility, which can impact the ability to safely control a car. By reducing risk factors and incorporating safe driving practices, you may be able to continue driving safely long into your senior years. Even if you find that you need
Some of the greatest challenges of caring for a loved one with dementia are the personality and behavior changes that often occur. You can best meet these challenges by using creativity, flexibility, patience and compassion. It also helps to not take things personally and maintain your sense of humor. To start, consider these ground rules: We cannot change the person. The person you are caring for has a brain disorder that shapes who he has become. When you try to control or change his behavior, you’ll most likely be unsuccessful or be met with resistance. It’s important to: Try to accommodate the behavior, not control the behavior. For example, if the person insists on sleeping on the floor
Caring for a person with dementia poses many challenges for families and caregivers. People with dementia from conditions such as Alzheimer’s and related diseases have a progressive brain disorder that makes it more and more difficult for them to remember things, think clearly, communicate with others, or take care of themselves. In addition, dementia can cause mood swings and even change a person’s personality and behavior. Here are some practical strategies for dealing with the troubling behavior problems and communication difficulties often encountered when caring for a person with dementia. Improving your communication skills will help make caregiving less stressful and will likely impro
September is Healthy Aging Month. It’s never too late to get started on better health practices. Use this month as a reminder and motivation to take stock of where you’ve been, and where you want to be whether it’s physically, socially, financially, or mentally. To get you started on bettering or re-inventing yourself, here are some ideas that we have to offer. Be positive in your conversations and your actions every day. When you catch yourself complaining, check yourself right there and change the conversation to something positive. Distance yourself from people who do not have a positive outlook on life. They will only depress you and stop you from moving forward. S
