Approximately one in nine Americans ages 65 and older, or 6.7 million people, are estimated to live with Alzheimer’s disease, and millions more have other types of dementia. What’s alarming is that the majority of older adults with cognitive impairment are still driving, despite concerns raised by caregivers and others, according to a study that […]
Red Flags When Walking and Driving May Be Indicative of Dementia
Some people take wide turns when they are walking or driving and get disoriented easily. Some drive slowly, while others are fast and erratic. Some get lost in their own neighborhood or have momentary lapses where they forget which pedal is which. For some, this is just how they walk or drive, and they may […]
Is Driving Cessation a Risk Factor for Long-Term Care?
Olivia has always enjoyed driving. She loves the wind in her hair as she drives on Main Street with the top down on her convertible, a retirement present she bought for herself. She enjoys the independence she feels when she gets behind the wheel and can go where ever she wants, whenever she wants. Unfortunately, […]
Adaptive Equipment Can Increase Driver Safety
Dear Angel, My sister loves to drive her Mini Cooper with the roof down when the weather is nice outside. She has some physical ailments that I feel make it unsafe for her to drive, though. This makes me worry when she is on the road. For instance, due to neck pain, her peripheral vision […]
Driving Safely with Hearing Loss
Dear Ribbit, My father has hearing loss and I fear that it’s affecting his driving. He gave me a ride to the airport yesterday, and we almost got into two accidents. Are their things that can be done to help someone with hearing loss drive more safely? Thanks for your help! S. “Carrie” Driver — […]
Take my Guns and my Home, but NOT MY CAR KEYS
Dear Bebe, When my father reached his 75th birthday, he had made quite a few concessions to age. He willingly gave up his guns and hunting, a passion he had since his childhood. He no longer mowed his own yard or cleaned his own gutters. In fact, five years ago, he sold his home to […]
Aging On-Demand: Options for Seniors and Caregivers
Jan lives in the same townhouse complex as her mother, Sarah. Jan works in D.C. part-time, and visits her mother every evening, bringing her dinner and helping wherever she needs assistance. Jan is fortunate to have the flexibility to work at home a couple times a week, so she can drive her mom to appointments. […]
Brain Training to Keep Seniors on the Road Longer
Q. When I was growing up, my father used to always be the one to drive our family everywhere. We would never fly, because it was “too expensive,” and I think it was also because dad loved driving. To this day, he and my mother drive their RV across the country, and if you need […]
Should My Uncle With Dementia Still Be Driving?
Dear Commander Bun Bun, My dad broke the news to me that his brother has dementia. I have always been close with my uncle, so I was quite upset to hear about it. He told me that he will be driving to our house next weekend to visit. Driving? What if he loses his way, […]
Helping Seniors with Winter Hazards
Dear Baxter, The forecast calls for a huge snowstorm, and my mother lives alone. She is having a tough time with the bitter cold weather as it is, and the snow that they are calling for can be dangerous. Do you have any suggestions to help her deal with the winter hazards? Thanks for your help, Warry Duboutter —- Dear […]
MIT AgeLab’s Amazing Innovations for Seniors
Picture: Inside the MIT AgeLab, from telematicswire.net In 1900, life expectancy was just under 50. Today, people are living well into their 80’s, 90’s, and beyond. How can we make the most of the “bonus 30 years” we now have? According to the MIT AgeLab in Boston, MA, “longevity requires new thinking.” The MIT AgeLab was […]