1st New Year’s Day 6th First Friday Art Trail 13th New Neighbors features Dr. David Fraze 16th Martin Luther King Jr. Day

Page 6 • January 2023 • Golden Gazette Plan for changes in driving and firearm use

New research from the Firearm Injury Prevention Initiative has examined diverse viewpoints on reducing access to potentially dangerous situations among older adults due to changes in physical or cognitive functioning.

Specifically, the research engaged older adults, family members of older adults, and experts to look at whether reducing driving and reducing firearm access are similar decisions when an older adult can no longer safely perform the activity.

In an article titled “Cars, Guns, Aging, and ‘Giving Up the Keys,’” the research was published in The Gerontologist and led by clinicians and researchers in the initiative who are experienced in studying firearm safety, aging, veteran health, and driving.

“There’s an urgent need for resources and planning in advance to help reduce firearm injuries and deaths among older adults, while still respecting and promoting their independence, autonomy and rights. This is especially important when there’s a high risk of them harming themselves or someone else due to cognitive decline,” said lead researcher Emmy Betz, M.D., MPH, director of the Firearm Injury Prevention Initiative.

She’s also a professor of emergency medicine at the University of Colorado School of Medicine and epidemiology at the Colorado School of Public Health on the University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus.

The paper’s authors said they hope that by comparing insights into processes and preferences for reducing firearm access versus driving, they can provide key insights on how to develop resources to help adults and family members consider when to reduce firearm use and how to do so with respectful, thoughtful engagement.

To study this, the researchers conducted online focus groups and one-onone interviews with older adults who drove and owned firearms, family members of older adult firearm owners and still drive, professionals in aging-related agencies, and firearm retailers/instructors.

Among the 104 participants, one of the greatest similarities was that car and firearm access both have strong psychological attachments and emotions involved. They also agreed reduction in either activity should be prompted by declining ability, rather than by age alone.

At the same time, there were important differences in how participants discussed safety concerns between the two. Participants who relied on firearms for personal protection were the least likely to conceive of a time when it may be necessary to limit or no longer access firearms. In fact, firearms were viewed as an essential tool for protecting oneself as one gets older.

For both driving and firearm decisions, most participants agreed that trusted messengers (such as family and clinicians) would be best to lead the conversation around limiting access and advance planning. However, conversation needs to be approached with dignity and respect and consider the psychological attachment related to the item.

Regarding driving, clinicians and older drivers supported routine conversations to facilitate advance planning. The researchers suggest that firearms safety should be included in this conversation and other safety topics to destigmatize the sensitive issue and support older adults in making their own decisions.

New Neighbors, Jan. 13

New Neighbors Club of Lubbock will hold its January meeting/luncheon at 10:30 a.m. Jan. 13 at the Lubbock Women’s Club, 2020 Broadway.

Featured speaker will be Dr. David Fraze who is with Lubbock Christian University youth & family ministry and is a motivational speaker.

Lunch will be served after the program, and the cost is $20. Reservations are required at least 3 days before the event. Deadline for reservations is Tuesday, the week of the event.

RSVP to Roni Allen (text) 281-507-4083 or okieroni1@ gmail.com.

If unable to attend, cancel your reservation no later than Tuesday before the meeting. The club must pay for reservations not paid for. If not cancelled, you will be billed.

Games afterward are optional. Contact your game leaders if interested.

Life can be difficult if all you see is everything that’s wrong. Start focusing on what’s right, what’s good, what’s constructive. No matter what you’re facing, if you choose a positive mindset, you’ll emerge the winner. So if you want

to feel better, you’ve got to think better. – Mufti Menk

Golden Gazette • January 2023 • Page 7 Starting a constructive conversation with Mom & Dad

In this world, we’re getting older and living longer, and senior adults are changing what it means to age well every day.

So, how can we help our loved ones, and ourselves, live independent lives for as long as possible?

At Caring Transitions, we under-

Firefi ghters deliver coats to students

Representatives from the Lubbock Professional Firefi ghters Association (LPFFA) delivered new coats to each student at Williams Elementary School in Lubbock in early November. The coat distribution is provided through the Operation Warm program, a national nonprofi t dedicated to providing coats to those in need. Members of LPFFA Local 972 have collaborated with the Operation Warm: Coats for Kids Foundation in Lubbock since 2013. stand that talking about underlying issues—independence, health, and loss—is tough.

It can feel overwhelming, and it’s easy to put off as you search for the perfect time, place, and space.

How you approach these discussions is almost as important as the topics of those discussions themselves.

The Conversation Starter Guide is a great resource for you and your loved ones. It contains a step-by-step process and resources created by The Conversation Project, a research study by the Institute of Healthcare Improvement to help improve communication among families worldwide.

Fidelity compiled a list of 6 tips for starting a constructive conversation.

1. Be patient.

Recognize the truth behind the saying “old age is not for sissies.”

Declines in health, cognitive ability, and losing independence are legitimate causes for fear, frustration, and emotional upset.

2. Pick your spot.

Choose a time, space, and place where you and your loved one won’t feel rushed. Anticipate interruptions and conversational derailments.

3. Don’t try to tackle everything at once.

Start small and celebrate success. Pace yourself.

4. Don’t take it personally.

It’s rarely about you. Aging raises diffi cult topics and sensitive issues.

Reframe what you can do together to help your loved one stay safe and remain independent as long as possible.

5. Practice.

Make notes, enlist a friend to role play, and rehearse the conversation in your head so you can feel confi dent and relaxed in real time.

6. Keep talking.

Agree to disagree, take breaks, and keep the conversation going over time.

Realize the diffi cult questions take time, patience, and perseverance to sort through.

Try these questions to get started.

 How do you think you’re doing with _____________?  What does being able to _____________ mean to you?  What would it mean to you if we ___________?  How will doing __________help you to _________?  What’s the next best thing we can do to __________?  How would you feel if we ____________?

- https://www.caringtransitions.com/blog/ id/1560135/a-guide-to-starting-a-constructive-conversation-with-mom-dad

#LetsDoLunch

Once a week, or once a month, use your lunch hour to deliver a hot, nutritious meal to someone who is homebound.

You will make their day, and they will make yours.

Call 806-792-7971

for more info.