Should Your Senior Still Be Driving?

Just because your parent reaches a certain age doesn’t necessarily mean you should take away their car keys. Many seniors are actually fairly good drivers because they have years of experience. But when their health and memory begin to deteriorate, it may be time to re-evaluate the situation.

Take your senior out and let them drive. Travel on local roads as well as the highway to see how they do going both slow and fast and with varying amounts of traffic. This can give you more insight into things you should be concerned about. You may find that you don’t have to take their car keys away completely yet, but simply limit them to driving short distances, only during the daytime, or not on the highway.

However, there are some things that should send up red flags and make you carefully evaluate whether or not they should get behind the wheel:

• Vision or hearing problems. While driving, you must be constantly aware of what is going on around you. Vision problems can make it more difficult to safely change lanes, read street signs, or see obstacles in the roadway. Not being able to hear sirens or honking that can indicate danger puts more emphasis on vision and mental alertness.
• Dementia or Alzheimer’s Disease. Memory problems can mean getting lost even in familiar locations. Also, if your loved one suddenly loses focus or becomes confused, they may pose a threat to themselves or others on the road. There is also the risk of confusing the gas and brake pedal and accidently pressing the wrong one.
• Medications. Certain medications can make your senior drowsy or slow down their reaction time. In the event of an emergency, they may not be able to respond quickly enough to avoid danger. Or, they could nod off behind the wheel which can lead to an accident. It’s a good idea to talk to their doctor and ask about any risks medications can pose to driving.
• Dents or scratches on the car. If you notice that the car is already getting dinged up, it may be a sign that your senior shouldn’t be driving any longer. They may downplay these incidents because they don’t want to lose their independence, but it should be a cause for concern.

It can be a difficult topic to bring up, but one that is very important. You want to ensure that your senior is safe and not driving when they shouldn’t be. Public transportation could be one alternative option if there are services nearby. Hiring an in-home caregiver can also reduce the need of your loved one to go out as often. A caregiver can escort them on outings, assist with shopping, and attend various events with them. Your senior can continue to live an active life regardless of whether or not they drive.

Contact Always Best Care of Asheville-Hendersonville at (828) 989-7263 or visit us online to learn more about our in-home care and senior services and how they can benefit your loved one.

6 Signs it May be Time to Consider Assisted Living

Many adults prefer to stay in their own home as they age, and that’s often a possibility. As long as they are physically and mentally able to safely live there, they can age in place. As they get older, an in-home care provider can provide the support and assistance they need to remain independent. However, there often comes a time when in-home care is not enough and seniors require more intensive care. When this is the case, it may be time to consider transitioning to an assisted living facility.

Here are six signs that it may be time to consider assisted living:

1. Your loved one can’t keep up with their home. Are there stacks of bills or dirty dishes laying around? Do they have trouble keeping up with laundry or taking the trash out? Their home may have become too much to manage and downsizing into an assisted living facility can be beneficial. Here they will have much less to keep track of and receive assistance as needed.

 

2. Your senior has difficulty with activities of daily living. Whether you notice that they haven’t bathed in a few days or are typically wearing the same clothes over again, changes in personal hygiene can be a sign that more help is needed. They may have difficulty brushing their teeth or hair, or working the washing machine.

3. Your loved one has memory problems. Dementia, Alzheimer’s disease, and memory loss can make caring for themselves more difficult. They may forget whether they’ve taken their medication, where they put their keys, or how to get to and from the store.

4. Your senior has become more accident prone. If mom or dad seems to be tripping and falling more often or has unexplained bruises, their home may not be as safe of a place anymore. Mobility issues can make navigating stairs or getting in and out of the shower more dangerous.

5. Your loved one has been losing or gaining weight. Is their refrigerator full of spoiled food, or have very little food at all? Meal preparation can be tough when vision, memory, or dexterity are compromised. Your senior may have forgotten they’ve already eaten or prepare unhealthy foods as well. Furthermore, if they’re forgetting to turn off the stove or oven, that can be a fire hazard.

6. Your senior is becoming more isolated. Did you parent used to spend time with friends or at the community center and now they hardly leave their home? Assisted living can help them to become more social once again and get involved in a variety of activities. They’ll be able to have more regular social interactions.

Assisted living can allow your loved one to maintain some of their independence while also receiving the level of support and care they need to stay safe and healthy. Always Best Care of Asheville-Hendersonville not only provides in-home care services, but also offers complimentary assisted living placement services. When your senior is ready to make that transition, Always Best Care is here to help. Call (828) 989-7263 or visit us online for more information.

Winter Safety Tips for Seniors

Colder weather is making its way into North Carolina as winter takes hold. While things have been fairly mild thus far, the weather can be unpredictable. It’s important for seniors to be prepared for when winter storms and low temperatures arrive.

Check heating system. Have the heating system inspected and repaired to ensure that it is working properly. Replace the filters and set the temperature to a comfortable level. Seniors are often more sensitive to temperature changes and may get colder more easily, so you may want to set it a little warmer than usual. Make sure that they know how to make adjustments as necessary to stay comfortable.

Bundle up. When going outside, layer up. This will help to keep body heat from escaping as quickly and the cold air from penetrating through clothing. Put on a hat, scarf, and gloves to cover exposed skin. Layering up while indoors can be a good idea as well. Seniors can always add or remove layers depending on how they feel.

Increase traction. Spread salt on potentially slippery surfaces to prevent icy buildup. Check the soles of shoes and rubber ends of canes or walkers to make sure they are not too worn and smooth. Wearing non-slip shoes can help seniors to maintain better traction and balance, especially on wet surfaces.

Stock up cupboards. Winter weather can bring power outages and make travel treacherous. Making sure seniors have plenty of non-perishable foods available can reduce the need to venture out and ensure they have food should the power go out. Stock up on water as well just in case. Pick foods that are easy to make and you know your senior enjoys.

Replace batteries. The New Year is a good time to replace batteries in smoke detectors, carbon monoxide detectors, and flashlights. This will help to keep your senior safer especially if they use space heaters and when the heating system is running. Carbon monoxide is clear and odorless, so a detector is a must.

Travel with caution. Help your senior to stay on top of weather notifications so they don’t plan any trips during potential storms. Make arrangements to go to the grocery store or refill medications before a storm hits. It’s also a good idea to limit nighttime driving as this is when temperatures fall and wet roads can quickly become icy.

Check in regularly. No matter how near or far you live, call to check in on a regular basis. Find out if there is anything your senior needs and just see how they’re doing. If you’re unable to stop by in person, send a family member, friend, or neighbor to check in. Hiring an in-home care provider can also keep your senior safer by assisting them with daily activities and providing companionship. A care provider can let you know if they notice anything amiss and can help your senior be more prepared for dealing with winter weather.

Have peace of mind this season knowing that you have taken steps to improve the safety and comfort of your senior. Contact Always Best Care of Asheville-Hendersonville at (838) 989-7263 or visit us online for more information about senior care services.

Coping With Vision Loss from Glaucoma

Glaucoma is a condition that can develop unexpectedly. Because vision loss begins with peripheral vision, you may not notice any significant differences at first. However, as vision loss increases, it can impact your ability to carry out daily activities and eventually lead to tunnel vision where you only have a narrow line of sight. While there is no cure for glaucoma, early detection and treatment can help slow development and allow you to make the most of your remaining eyesight.

What causes glaucoma?

Glaucoma is generally caused by an increase of pressure within the eye that can damage the optic nerve. There is fluid that continuously flows around the eye, but when this flow is disrupted or slowed, it can lead to a buildup of pressure. Medication, eye drops, and surgery are some common forms of treatment that support better vision.

Dealing with vision loss

There are numerous ways that you can manage vision loss to continue living safely and independently.

• Stay organized. Make sure that each item in your home has its own place, and when you use these items, always put them back where they belong. This consistency and organization can help you to locate things more easily on your own, even if you have low vision. Ask that family members or visitors also return things to where they got them.
• Contrast. Creating contrast by using brightly colored tape or opposite colors can help you to differentiate between objects or see the edge of stairs, counters, or doorways.
• Magnification. Wearing glasses that magnify, or using a magnifier can help you to see print and smaller objects more clearly. You can also opt for large print books and devices to help you stay as independent as possible.
• Auditory reminders. If it becomes difficult to read fine print, use auditory reminders instead. Set alarms to remind you to take your medication and record notes for yourself instead of trying to write them down. Relying on your other senses can help to compensate for low vision.
• Be proactive. Have your vision checked regularly to monitor glaucoma progress. Ask about seeing a low vision specialist who can equip you with assistive devices or modifications that align with your vision needs. They can determine what would be most effective and how your low vision impacts your daily living.
• Ask for help. An in-home care provider can support you with daily activities such as managing medication, preparing meals, organizing mail, tidying up around the house, reading, maintaining your calendar, and more. You can opt for a few hours a week or a few hours a day depending on your level of need and ability.

Glaucoma shouldn’t stand in your way of living a life you enjoy. Contact Always Best Care of Asheville-Hendersonville to learn more about available in-home care and senior services. Call (828) 989-7263 or visit us online for more information.