Smart Senior

Senior Driving: The Independent Senior

 

Nearly everyone either has or wants a car, it is the American way.  You couldn’t wait to turn 16 to get your first learners permit and that love affair with your car still exists today.   Most likely, one of the primary considerations in your quest for independent living is to keep driving as long as possible.

 

Yes, it is a known fact that car accidents start to increase when drivers reach 60, and continue to escalate with each added decade.  It is also a known fact (and insurance companies will attest to this one), that seniors who take advantage of driving programs can decrease these statistics dramatically.

 

Let that be an incentive for you.  No one wants to give up his/her license or have someone else start giving you the evil eye when they see you behind the wheel.  Still, out of consideration to other drivers you want to do everything possible to make your trips out into the world safe and satisfying.  Let us consider some ways to accomplish this:

 

• Cut back or cut out night driving if your visual acuity is changing.  Be honest with yourself and be aware that depth perception changes and making adjustments can be more difficult.  Twilight and heavy rains make me feel less comfortable about judging distances and I am sure that I am not alone.

 

• I don’t like the pressure of driving on the freeway or even driving during rush hour traffic.  Experts suggest selecting less traveled routes and recommend driving at less crowded times of the day.  Map Quest will plan an alternate route for you if you don’t already have one.

 

• Experts also suggest that driving a heavier car that is bright in color is a good idea.  Everyone can see you coming, and I would be willing to bet that you have always wanted a red car anyway.

 

• Drive responsibly.  Allow plenty of time to get where you are going but remember to go with the flow.  Driving too slowly can be as much of a hazard as going too fast.  If you are driving the back roads you will be less likely to feel pressured to go faster than you are comfortable with.

 

•  Remember that your reaction time may be a little slower than it used to be so being observant about keeping that car length distance between yourself and the car ahead is important.

 

Driving isn’t the be-all and end-all when it comes to independence, but if you do your best to be a safe and responsible driver and take advantage of modern technology, you will be able to indulge this particular passion longer than you believed possible.

 

 

 

 

Longevity and What It Means to You

 

Working in Assisted Living means that I am already aware that people are healthier and living longer than ever before, but it was still an eye opener when I read an article in The Seattle Times (July 20, 2009) about the number of people reaching the 100 year mark.

 

We used to chuckle when some one 50 would complain about having a mid-life crisis, and think, middle of what?  You would have to live to be 100 or beyond to be in the middle of anything at 50 or 60.  Well, this isn’t so far fetched any more.  The article written by Hope Yen speculated that the population of centenarians is projected to reach 6 million by mid-century.  This really does push the median age toward 50 and is changing the way we view aging and what it really means to be middle aged or old.

 

Longevity is being attributed to advances in medicine and dietary habits, which has decreased the incidence of heart disease and strokes.  Good genes can’t be discounted, of course, but that has always been a given.  Restorative Exercise Programs, regular meals, social stimulation, and a health care team with an eye toward preventive medicine have all made a huge contribution when it comes to your longevity.

 

The number of people reaching or exceeding 100 is expected to increase from 75,000 to more than 600,000 by mid-century in the

USA

alone.  The implications are considerable, and it will depend on whether you are healthy or not.  Healthy centenarians are not a problem but demented or frail persons can be very costly and this is not something to be taken lightly.  State and Federal governments will be focusing on re-evaluating retirement benefits, age limits on driving and Medicare coverage as the definition of “old” changes.

 

Seniors will be urged more than ever to plan for their futures and to take responsibility for their own health and independent status.  Being involved in your life, your community, and your local government are important.  You need to be sure that you are interested and well represented as you face the possibility of living much longer than you had ever thought possible.

The Eyes Have It: Senior Eye Concerns

 

 I have been wearing glasses since I was six years old so it isn’t surprising that the thought of vision loss weighs heavily on my mind.  I was relieved when my last eye exam was favorable and the words cataract, macular degeneration or glaucoma were not even mentioned.

 

I have worked with seniors with varying degrees of vision loss for some time so I know the likelihood of developing at least one of these conditions is a definite maybe. I would do just about anything if I thought I might prevent this from happening.

 

I like to read (a lot) and I actually enjoy exercising so naturally my eye was drawn to an article in Fitness magazine (July/August 2009) that suggested that jogging 1.25 miles every day or walking for 30 minutes five days a week could reduce the risk of developing macular degeneration by 36%.  It appears that exercise lowers the levels of inflammatory proteins that can lead to that disease.

 

This sounds too good to be true, but as I already walk every day as well as jog three times a week, I am pretty excited about this.  I pulled up a couple of more articles with similar revelations.  Better Nutrition (April 2009) also mentions that vigorous exercise can help ward of eye disease and cites studies published by Investigative Ophthalmology & Visual Science.

 

New technologies improve the quality of life for people living with low vision, but the best technology in the world can’t beat prevention.  314 million people world-wide live with visual impairments, which is pretty scary.

 

A regular yearly eye exam as well and a concentrated effort to take care of your eyes is an important part of a wellness program.  Recommendations include a healthy diet and exercise, protection from the sun, preventing eyestrain and not smoking.  Too many rules you say?  What is your eyesight worth to you?

 

 

Chic Raised Beds--A Gardening Boon for Seniors

I would be the first to admit that raised beds are a good idea, but I haven’t seen many of them that have caught my eye from a cosmetic standpoint.  My cousin, for one, readily admits that her painful knees make it hard for her to get down on her hands and knees anymore, so she welcomes alternative methods that can help her garden. 

 

Raised beds go a step beyond adaptive tools toward making gardening enjoyable for the senior population, and if you can figure out how to do this in efficient but attractive manner it can be even more exciting.

 

Raised beds can be built high enough to work from a sitting position and arranged in any order in your front or back yard, or even on your deck.  Valerie Eason wrote an article for the Seattle Times (July 5, 2009) with some amazing pictures, about a chic raised bed that is really a work of art.

 

The beds were designed to be easy to take care of, are made of sustainable materials and look really look good.  The beds were designed for her by Exteriorscapes and made of a thin steel called Cor-Ten. They take up a minimum amount of space.  Icor-Ten is black when the material is raw and new, but slowly weather to a rusty patina.  The interior is coated with natural rubber.  The beds are easy to care for and the metal makes the soil warm quickly.  The beds are two feet high so they can be worked without bending over too far.

 

These particular raised beds are a true work of art that makes veggie growing easy on the back while not detracting from landscaping décor.

Service Dogs and Seniors

You don’t have to be a senior to need or appreciate a dog, but I think every senior deserves the companionship and the services of a good dog. 

 

I love reading and writing about dogs and I do it pretty often.  Thankfully newspaper articles feature inspiring stories about pets on a regular basis, and I would like to share my latest find with you.

 

My own personal dogs have always been a bit “learning challenged,” which leaves me a bit in awe when I read about service dogs.  Psychiatric Service Dogs are a new concept to me.  Yochi J. Dreazen did an article for The Wall Street Journal (July 11,2009) that described the training and functions of psychiatric service dogs.  They are trained, above and beyond giving physical assistance, to help people suffering from emotional problems. 

 

These dogs, among other things, are taught to recognize the warning signs of a panic attack.  Seeing eye dogs were first trained during World War I to assist blind veterans.  Today, psychiatric service dogs are being trained to help post-traumatic stress victims from recent battles. 

 

The need far exceeds the demand, of course, but it gives you an idea of the role that dogs can play in the lives of individuals who are struggling to maintain their independence.   Dogs have been trained to work with people with conditions that range from mentally handicapped children, stroke victims, quadriplegics, and now stress management.  Rather amazing isn’t it? Can you imagine your dog turning lights on and off, retrieving food from a shelf or helping to load a washing machine?

 

What do you think?  I think my dog is pulling my leg when she gives me that adoring but dumb look.  Hmmmm…. she is downstairs by the laundry room right now.  I think we’ll start with that washing machine loading task.

 

 

When A Care Facility is the Only Answer

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I am a huge advocate for independent living.  I would like to see everyone live and die at home surrounded by friends and loved ones.  However, after working in health care for more years than I would like to think about, I know that this isn’t always possible.  Dementia is a fearful enemy and when your mind lets you down it may be necessary to look elsewhere for help.

 

Jerry Large, columnist for the Seattle Times (July 9,2009) wrote the most beautiful follow up article about the dilemma of finding a safe place for his mother that I have ever read.  He shared comments and stories from readers that truly touched me, just when I thought I knew it all.

 

Care facilities do a good job, but they are still just care facilities.  It is important to remember that even if you have turned basic care over to someone else; you still want to be actively involved.   Do not abandon your parents or grandparents in their time of greatest need. It is so very important that you treat them the way you would like to be treated.  Enjoy them for who they are now, not the way you wish they would be. Their bodies may be frail but they are still alive. They still want to be a part of the world and most of all they still want to be loved.

 

The article points out beautifully that people with dementia or Alzheimer’s are true examples of living in the moment.  There is no today, there is no tomorrow, and there is no yesterday—not even a few minutes ago.  There is only now.  Our job, he goes on to say, is to make sure they have as many good moments as possible.  Make the last part of their journey a loving one. Thank you Jerry Large for sharing your insights with us.

 

The decision is tough, but do your research and find the best place that you can afford to meet his/her needs but go a step further and stay involved. 

Hearing Aid Research: Good News for Seniors

Many seniors need or should be wearing hearing aids but refuse to do so because of cosmetic reasons or find that they are just too much of a hassle.  The batteries are always dead, they are too small to manipulate with clumsy fingers and poor eyesight, they are too expensive, or they are easy to lose.  I’ve often wondered why the people that can give you a pacemaker can’t come up with a permanent ear implant.

 

Well good news.  The technique isn’t perfect but Laura Johannes writing for The Wall Street Journal (Tuesday, July 7, 2009) tells about a new extended wear hearing aid.  This model can be worn for up to four months and is replaced only when the battery dies.  The aid is placed deep in the ear canal and is invisible.  The Lyric, by Insound Medical Inc. is the size of two pencil-top erasers side by side.  It is worn all of the time, even when showering, sleeping or active in sports.

 

At this point only about 50% of hearing users can wear them.  Some people have ear canals that are too small or are not straight enough for them to fit inside, or they have medical limitations.  It is powerful enough for only those with mild to moderate hearing loss.

 

It isn’t perfect but users love them because of the natural sound quality.  It is possible to use a cell phone or even plug iPod ear buds into the ears.  A small key-chain magnet device is used to turn it on and off and to adjust the volume.  It can be left on all of the time, unless you want to zone out for some reason.

 

Tests and trials are still being done, but isn’t it encouraging knowing that the hearings impaired haven’t been forgotten?

 

 

 

 

Seniors With Swallowing Problems

You don’t have to be a senior to have trouble swallowing pills, but seniors take more pills than most people so the percentage seems higher.

 

As a nurse, I see seniors taking anywhere from 4 to 14 pills at a sitting and many of them are very large.  I don’t do well taking pills myself so it boggles my mind when I see someone toss a handful of pills into their mouth.  It scares me a little too because every once in awhile it leads to choking and even aspiration pneumonia. 

 

Vitamins, Glucosamine and calcium tabs are the biggest culprits and I often wonder if they are worth it. Apparently physicians feel that it is worth the risk because many seniors take one or all of these medications.  People take a lot of pills, both prescription and over-the-counter.

 

Well, choking just isn’t any option.  Some people find that taking pills with applesauce works for them, but I just read about a special cup that has been especially designed to make medicines go down easily.  Oralflow (www.oralflo.com) has designed a cup that allows you to swallow your pills and water together without tipping your head backwards.

 

Okay, so it looks like what we used to call the “sippy cup” that we gave junior when it was time to switch from bottle to cup. Never fear, if it keeps you from being nervous when you take your medicine it is worth feeling a little silly.  You simply fill the cup half way up, secure the special lid, drop the pill (it will accommodate any size) in the spout and drink naturally.  The cup is inexpensive and effective.  I plan on giving it a try myself.

 

Many medications should not be crushed for absorption reasons, not to mention that it makes a bitter gluey mess to try to stomach.  I would love to hear about any other safe and easy ways to take medications.