09.30.09
Posted in elderly and education at 2:27 pm by admin
Driving is one of the hallmarks of a person’s independence. But there often comes a time when a person’s age, eyesight, and health begin to affect his or her performance behind the wheel. Sadly, the elderly driver himself often does not recognize that his skills have diminished. It might take years for the terrified passengers in the back seat (or in the oncoming traffic) to speak up and tell him, “It’s time to stop driving.”
Here are a few signs to be looking out for:
Slow reaction time. You may notice this in many different facets of your loved one’s life, not just driving. But when he fails to react to changing conditions around him–break lights ahead, pedestrians crossing the street unexpectedly, large debris in the middle of the road–it can become dangerous. It may not be time to send him to an elder care facility but it is just time to keep him safe by considering limiting some things he can do that just are not that safe for him anymore.
More blind spots: “I didn’t see them coming” is the mantra of a driver whose blind spots are “growing.” That’s not to say he is going blind, of course, although deterioration in eyesight is almost inevitable. More than likely, dad’s concentration level is just not what it used to be. Sometimes he forgets to check his mirror before he changes lanes. Usually, everything turns out just fine. But eventually, the law of averages could catch up to him.
Hard breaking might be a sign that his depth perception is not very clear. If you frequently get nervous when he approaches stop lights because he hasn’t slowed down, you might have cause for concern. The hard breaking that follows is disconcerting for you and the person he almost rear-ended. Dad might tell you that he always drove that way, and it might be true. But his eyes are not as good as they used to be now, and he simply can’t afford to keep those habits.
Trouble Staying in His Lane: Is he constantly over-compensating for tiny adjustments in his driving lane? Do the people passing you stay way over to the left side because he makes them nervous? This is dangerous.
Near misses: How many times have you said “That was too close, dad” lately? Any of these factors can end up almost getting your dad or loved one in a bad car accident. If the near misses start piling up, it’s time to talk.
But how do you talk with him without offending him?
This might be difficult to do. He’s been driving for fifty years, he will tell you, and he doesn’t need to stop now. A good rule of thumb is to not drop a giant bomb on him all at once, with ten of his kids and grandkids around him telling him how they feel. That could be unnecessarily humiliating. Start smaller. When your driving with him and you notice one of those signs, tell him gently that he needs to be careful, and has he considered using the bus instead? Bring it up again later, gently, without nagging.
Present him with well thought-out alternatives. Public Transportation: Can a bus take him to the senior center? Can his buddy give him a ride to the lodge? Can you go pick him up to bring him over on Sundays? These options are important because they could allow him to keep some level of independence, which is the real issue.
If things escalate–if he repeatedly ignores your concerns and stubbornly insists on driving–it may be time for one of those larger family interventions. And if his driving gets too dangerous, you might have to take even more extreme measures for his own safety, like calling your local Department of Transportation office.
But if you are watching for the signs and if you are honest with him early on, those should not be necessary. If you show him how much you care with your vigilant attitude, he is more likely to hand over the car keys himself.
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08.29.08
Posted in Retirement, Senior Citizen, elderly and education at 10:04 am by admin
John McCain picks Sarah Palin as his Vice President. This will most definately bring in younger voters but will this deter elderly voters? My personal opinion is that it will bring more elderly voters as well since the majority of elderly voters are conservative and Sarah Palin is very conservative and pro-life. Sarah Palin is 44 years old and is the govenor of Alaska. She is for off shore drilling. Palin is a mother to a down syndrome child. I believe that McCain will receive more women votes by picking Sarah Palin as V.P. I’m sure that was one of his reasons for picking her. John McCain and Sarah Palin appear live today in Dayton, OH. They hope to win the votes of Ohio for Ohio could be a deciding state of who will be president. Hillary Clinton won the votes in Ohio in the primary and McCain may win a majority of those votes. This election may be a very close election and it may depend on one state or one group of people.
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03.18.08
Posted in Assisted Living, Elder Care, Elderly Care, Nursing home alternative, Senior Citizen, Taking Care of a Loved One, Texas Elderly Care Services, elderly and education at 2:46 pm by admin
Senior Events In Tyler Texas
This coming month is a great time to get out and go to events in your community in Tyler, TX. The senior community in Tyler has one event right after another this month and next. The Tyler Area Chamber of Commerce is hosting the 2nd Annual “Seniors Celebrating Life” at the Harvey Convention Center on April 3, 2008. This event is free to all seniors and lunch will be provided. It is designed for interaction and education. Vendor booths will provide information on services and goods that are available to seniors.
Senior Citizen’s Venue For Meeting
The Senior Citizen’s Center on Garden Valley Road in Tyler is designed for senior citizens to meet together for some fun and fellowship. Events include dominoes, card and board games, exercise classes, dancing, movies, day trips and much more. Transportation is available for seniors who cannot drive. The Senior Citizen’s Center is open from 8 AM to 5 PM Monday through Friday. For more information and weekly schedules call (903)597-0781.
Other events in Tyler:
-March 18-22 (7:30pm) “To Kill A Mockingbird” play at the Tyler Civic Theatre ($15).
-March 28-29 Quilt Show at the Harvey Convention Center
-March 28 (10am-5pm) and March 29 (9am-5pm) Main Street Flower Market at LeGrand Park (free admission)
-April 5 (10am-5pm) First Annual Azalea Trail Classic Auto Show- Rod Run at LeGrand Park (free admission)
-Walking Club at the Glass Recreation Center ($15) Dates are open. Call (903) 533-1397
-May 3 (2-4pm) Through the Goodman Lens: A Pictorial History of Tyler. Free admission, pre-registration suggested. Call (903) 531-1286
For more information on events in Tyler go to: www.cityoftyler.org
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03.02.08
Posted in Assisted Living, Assisted Living Facilities, Assisted Living Safety, Caregiver, Elder Care, Elderly Care, Nursing home, Senior Citizen, Senior Citizen Fathers, Taking Care of a Loved One, Texas Elderly Care Services, elderly and education at 12:23 am by admin
East Texas Primary Voting By Senior Citizens
The Texas primary voting ends on March 4th at 7pm. Unfortunately there are many people taking advantage of the elderly in nursing homes or assisted living communities and stealing their votes. The Senior News in Arlington report “Nursing homes, notorious places for voter fraud, need greater guidance on how to help residents vote…About one in five votes in the 2004 presidential election was cast by someone 65 years or older. By 2040, it is anticipated about 40 percent of voters will be 65 or older. …John Karlawish, a professor of medicine and medical ethics at the University of Pennsylvania,…said much of the voting at the long term care facilities studied was done by absentee ballot, which is well recognized as a mechanism for voter fraud. ‘First, people decided whether they can vote, and second, people steal their votes.’”
Assist But Do Not Manipulate Your Senior Loved One
Make sure your loved one has the opportunity to vote if he or she desires. Educate mom and dad on what’s going on in politics now. They educated you when you were young. Bring them up to date on what’s going on in the news now and discuss how important it is to vote in the Texas primaries. If your parent is filling out an absentee ballot be sure you or someone you trust is helping them and not someone you don’t know even if the person seems like a sweet care giver. You can’t be too careful with voting.
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08.02.07
Posted in Dimentia, Elder Care, Phyllis Turner, Senior Citizen, elderly and education at 2:27 pm by admin
Education for the elderly is never too late
Masters degree for a 94 year old lady
It’s never too late for education. Phyllis Turner received her masters degree this week at Adelaide University in Australia at a record breaking age of 94. This elderly student is said to be lively and enthusiastic. Mrs. Turner uses a walking stick but has found a new energy and dedication for her study.
She had to help with the siblings and never made it to school
Phyllis Turner quit primary school when she was 12 years old to help her mother with her siblings because her father abandoned them. About 60 years later she went back to school to study anthropology and won honors in 2002 at Adelaide University. She later started on her masters in Medical Science at age 90 and received her diploma this week at age 94.
Hats off to Phyllis Turner who knows that you can never be too old to learn something new.
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