December 1, 2017
PATIENT POWER Health Insights for Seniors, Loved Ones and Caregivers
Buy Safe Toys/Gifts You don’t want a loved one to get hurt with their holiday gifts. For older adults, make sure it’s things that arthritic fingers can open/press and their vision will enjoy. For the kids in your life, fight hearing loss with gifts that aren’t too loud. Also have no small parts shooting around.
Don’t Fall! Did you know over 30,000 die from falls yearly? Take as many measures as you can to prevent them. Make sure walkways are cleaned and iced as needed. Don’t trip on new tools. Use a tool belt, especially when you’re climbing ladders. (And watch out for those!)
Honor the Disabled ….with help. Start on Dec. 3rd (Int’l Day of Persons with Disabilities) and continue to do it year ‘round. Go sing at Alzheimer’s homes; see if those nearby (that you know you can handle) need transport to docs, shopping, etc.
Patient Power
photo: odd harmonic on Flickr.com
When Did U Last Check Your Driving? I mean your skills, not your car. Although as you read you’ll find car checks are needed as you age…ones that aren’t part of regular maintenance. Here are some quick checkpoints and tips for making sure you and others are safe while you drive. Oh…and before you start reading this, make sure you don’t “pooh-pooh” any of it as not applying to you (or older loved ones). Check on Medicines Automobile Association of American (AAA) notes that “eight out of 10…drivers age 65 and older take medications on a regular basis.” And that doesn’t include OTC meds you may be gobbling. So it’s critical to find out which meds (alone or in combo) could be affecting driving. WM Medical Communications
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Famous Birthdays Still Going Strong… …whether honorees are here or remembered. • Ray Walston: Dec. 2, 1914. Honored actor/singer/dancer. • Tim Conway: Dec. 15, 1933. Actor, comedian. • Richard Leakey: Dec. 19, 1944. Environmentalist. • Rod Serling: Dec. 25, 1924. Writing, producer, “Twilight Zone” creator. • Sandy Koufax: Dec. 30, 1935. Baseball legend. ………………………………………. Wendy Meyeroff is president of WM Medical Communications based in
December 1, 2017
AAA has a fantastic website devoted strictly to older adults’ driving: SeniorDriving.AAA.com. Within there’s a great section called “Roadside Rx.” Enter your Rx drugs and click on “Driver Warnings” and you’ll get important insights. For a loved one I found out both her meds increase delayed reactions and challenges of staying within the lane markings! Doesn’t mean she can’t drive, she just has to be more conscious and make notes of any issues. If they’re constant and severe and she wants to keep driving, she needs a doc/patient chat.
Get Evaluated Reflexes slow with age, there are vision and other health issues that may be affecting you. Admit those and then check if your vehicle needs changes to help accommodate some limitations. The AAA has a free CarFit clinic in some areas. Trained experts put you through a 2o-minute review to see if your vehicle “fits” properly. E.g.: Is your seat high/low enough and do your mirrors need different adjustments than you always used? AAA and others offer classes to get your driving reviewed/ improved. In fact, some car insurers actually reduce rates when you’ve been retrained. Check with all insurers (not just yours) and driving schools for options.
Admit Environmental Dangers Do you feel safe driving in truly bad weather, especially snow and/ or ice? Are you protected from glaring winter light? (Most of us forget it can be worse reflecting off that ice/snow.) How ‘bout nighttime driving? With it darkening so early, can you still drive to night events or is it time to team with others?
Time for Honesty Baltimore, MD, but serving clients throughout the U.S., Canada and overseas for over 20 years. Her specialty: writing for and about America’s aging population in print and then one of the first called online. See her at www.wmmedcomm.com
Patient Power
You may have to admit you can’t drive safely anymore, even with all these changes. Then it’s time for you, your family and health pros to find ways you can still get around. Can you set regular schedules with loved ones? Does your religious group offer a service? Don’t forget local Depts. on Aging or Senior Services. I trust this gives you a few ideas. Don’t forget to explore online, ask family, friends, neighbors, even health professionals. WM Medical Communications
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