The driving behaviors listed below are ranked from minor to serious. Many of the less serious issues may be overcome with changes in driving behavior or physical fitness, while the more serious behaviors may require your immediate action. Since driving ability seldom changes drastically in a short time, you should be able to track changes over time to get a clear picture of overall driving ability.

Here’s How to Use This List:

Observe driving over time, keeping notes to help you understand changes in driving ability.

Look for a pattern of warning signs and for an increase in the frequency of occurrence.

Driving Behavior Warning Signs

1.            Decrease in confidence while driving.

2.            Difficulty turning to see when backing up.

3.            Riding the brake.

4.            Easily distracted while driving.

5.            Other drivers often honk horns.

6.            Incorrect signaling.

7.            Parking inappropriately.

8.            Hitting curbs.

9.            Scrapes or dents on the car, mailbox or garage.

10.       Increased agitation or irritation when driving.

11.       Failure to notice important activity on the side of the road.

12.       Failure to notice traffic signs.

13.       Trouble navigating turns.

14.       Driving at inappropriate speeds.

15.       Not anticipating potential dangerous situations.

16.       Uses a “copilot.”

17.       Bad judgment on making left hand turns.

18.       Near misses.

19.       Delayed response to unexpected situations.

20.       Moving into wrong lane.

21.       Difficulty maintaining lane position.

22.       Confusion at exits.

23.       Ticketed moving violations or warnings.

24.       Getting lost in familiar places.

25.       Car accident.

26.       Failure to stop at stop sign or red light.

27.       Confusing the gas and brake pedals.

28.       Stopping in traffic for no apparent reason.

For more information, please visit The Hartford Group at    

www.safedrivingforalifetime.com

Trying to resolve a business problem by the telephone has become a daunting task for most of us.  Long gone are the days when your telephone call would be immediately answered by a real person.  Instead, we are now confronted by a series of questions, requiring us to press the right buttons, in order to be connected with the service agent most capable of handling our problem.  Reaching the right person, communicating the problem and resolving the issue can be even more difficult for seniors. 

Seniors often struggle not only with the new technology but also with problems that aging may cause such as hearing loss, lack of concentration and sometimes even dementia.  Seniors may have greater success in resolving an issue over the telephone if they follow a few tips.

Be Prepared

1.        Know the problem.  Sit down beforehand and write out the problem, being as specific as possible.  Understand what the purpose of the telephone call is and what you hope to accomplish.

2.       Call early in the morning or other times when you feel most alert. 

3.       Make sure that you have all of your sensory enhancement devices, i.e., hearing aids, enhanced telephone headsets, reading glasses, available.

4.       Eliminate all background noises that may cause a distraction prior to making the call.

Making the Call

1.       Keep a notebook and write down the date and time that you are making the phone call.

2.        Listen closely to the instructions and write down each of the prompts that you believe apply to your situation.  In the event that you will have to call again, knowing the required prompts beforehand can help you more easily reach the desired party.

3.       When you reach the desired party, take note of the individual’s name and/or identification number and write it in your notebook.  Ask that in the event that you are cut off, if there is a direct way to call the agent back without having to go through all of the prompts again.

4.       State the problem as you have written it.  Being as precise as possible can help avoid confusion.  If the agent you reached is not the correct party, write down the name of the party or area that you need to reach and try to get a direct number.  If you cannot get a direct number, be sure that you know what prompt you need to use in the event you need to again call back.

Take the time to write down the results of your call and review it with the service agent before ending the call.  Make sure you understand what actions will occur (such as the removal of an expense from a bill) and when you will see evidence that the correction has been made.

By planning your call and making sure that you are free of distractions when making it, you should be well prepared to effectively communicate and resolve any outstanding issue.  By maintaining a written record of the call, with whom you spoke and what actions are to take place, you will be well prepared should any follow-up call be required.

___________________________________

Gary Lewis, CFP®, CASL®, has worked in various areas of

financial services since receiving his MBA from Northwestern University

in 1988.  He specializes in providing services to the mature market and helping seniors age-in-place.  He can be reached at gary@assetdesigncenter.com.

Bathing and personal hygiene of their loved one has long been a struggle for caregivers. If their loved one has dementia, this issue may further become one riddled with fear and trepidation. While bathing can be difficult for the elderly, it is necessary for skin cleansing and infection control as well as providing an opportunity for the caregiver to inspect the senior’s skin. Socially, a bath controls body odor, enhances social interactions and provides positive touch.  But the question remains, “How can we make shower time less of a strain on your personal relationship?”

§         Communicate Tell your loved what you are going to do before proceeding. “Mom, I am going to help you get undressed for the shower.” Approach from the front and maintain eye contact. If he/she becomes violent, back off and try another time.

§         Schedule Set up a bath schedule and use a calendar. Find a time of day where he/she is less likely to have outbursts. Use incentives to get him/her to bathe, such as telling your loved one that they must bathe before a favorite TV show or a favorite dessert. Once or twice a week is sufficient for seniors if they are not incontinent and keep the genital area clean.

§         Atmosphere Make it like a spa experience. Dim the lights and play relaxing, instrumental music. Use scented soaps/lotions, heated towels (use heated towel bars/containers or pluck them from the dryer) and a warm fuzzy bathrobe.

§         Temperature Turn up the heat one to two hours before the bath to keep the bathrooms warm. Seniors are often cold when we are wearing short sleeves. If there is tile in the bathroom, cover them with a plush bath rug or carpet (watch for falls). If you have an overhead heater, turn that on. Wear a t-shirt so you’re not overheated!

§         Safety Make sure the bathroom is safe - use bath chairs, non-slip mats/appliqués and grab bars. If the senior doesn’t feel safe, he or she will not agree to bathe.

§         Equipment Install a hand-held shower. The water spray in the face is distressing as often happens when sitting in a shower chair. The hand-held shower also allows the warm water to pour over them as they wash resulting in a greater sense of control.

§         Modesty Allow your loved one to do as much bathing independently as possible. Keep the doors closed and curtains drawn. Always cover the genitals with a washcloth or keep a light gown on the body that is not being bathed.

If your loved one still refuses to bathe, use alternative methods. Use no-rinse washcloths and dry shampoo. Try a “weekly bath” with everyday washing one part of her body using washcloths. For example, Monday wash her arms, armpits and back, Tuesday, feet and legs. Ask her to take that body part out of her clothes one at a time to wash, dry and then switch. It takes longer but your loved one may be more open to this. Sometimes you could time it during a trip to the washroom and use that as an excuse to clean the genitals. Use powders, body sprays, etc to help cover the body odor when you just can’t get them to bathe.

And lastly, many home care agencies offer a bathing service so that you don’t have to do the “dirty work”. Hire them and then go out for a cup of coffee to de-stress. Home & Hearth Caregivers offer a variety of packages that include bathing. Call us at 800-349-0663 for your complimentary, no obligation home assessment.

During this holiday season, we spend countless hours wrapping, addressing, baking, cleaning and spending time with our loved ones, many of them seniors.  As you visit with your loved ones, take a look around for signs that they may need help:

Inside the Home

1. The kitchen is filled with dirty dishes, burned pots, food and possible infestations. Mom has always been a great cook but occasionally forgets to turn off the stove or gets too tired to wash the dishes.
2. The refrigerator has expired or moldy food and possibly non-food items inside. Cleaning out the refrigerator is not a fun task, but Mom has found it overwhelming to throw away food and/or may not remember where to put items.
3. The clutter is piling up. Mom and Dad may not want to admit that maintaining their home is becoming an overwhelming task.
4. The mail is stuffed with bills and late notices. Dad used to pay the bills two weeks ahead of time but is now faced with possible shut-offs or late fees.

Personal Care

1. Your parents have body odor. Perhaps Dad is afraid to bathe because he has fallen in the bathtub. Mom may not remember when she last bathed but insists that she does not need an incontinence product.
2. They wear the same clothes or inappropriate seasonal attire. Mom is wearing the sweater with the large coffee stain on the front that she got during the last visit you had. Dad goes out to get the mail in December without a coat or shoes.
3. Mom’s clothes are baggy. She just doesn’t want to cook now that Dad has passed or the shopping can be too much trouble for one so she eats a bowl of soup and nibbles on crackers.

Health Care

1. They forget their medications and doctor’s appointments. Mom always reminded Dad to take his medications but the pill boxes are now unorganized or full when you visit.
2. Dad has unexplained bruises or skin tears. He has fallen but refuses a cane or walker and Mom thinks it’s a natural progression of skin as she ages.
3. Noticeable cognitive decline. Dad has forgotten his granddaughter’s name but still remembers his best friend from elementary school. Mom can’t remember how to work the microwave.
4. Increased hospitalizations. Mom can’t control her blood sugar levels and Dad has been dizzy since he started his new blood pressure medication.

If you do notice significant signs like these, sit down with your loved ones and have a conversation about their needs. Home care agencies like Home & Hearth Caregivers are able to relieve the burden of caregiving from adult children and allow the seniors to remain in their home. We accept private pay, veteran’s benefits and long-term care insurance. Please contact us at 800-349-0663 to schedule a complimentary, no-obligation assessment.

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Not all Alzheimer’s patients exhibit the same symptoms and not all patient’s are in the same stage.  Some symptoms may not appear at all, while others can occur in more than one stage. The following divides the most common symptoms of Alzheimer’s disease into three stages.

First Stage

This phase is known as early Alzheimer’s and lasts  about  two to four years.  It includes the period leading up to the diagnosis.  Symptoms include:

• Asking the same question over and over again
• Being unable to follow a conversation, especially if more than one other person is involved
• Demonstrating an inability to concentrate, causing hobbies and pastimes to be set aside
• Becoming confused about directions or finances
• Being unable to come to decisions
• Losing interest in their surroundings
• Allowing personal hygiene and common courtesies to slide
• Getting lost while driving on familiar streets
• Appearing depressed  

Second Stage

This phase is known as middle stage Alzheimer’s and lasts about two to four years.  Symptoms include:  

• Showing more and more forgetfulness, such as not turning off the oven or taking medication.
• Trouble recognizing friends and family
• Wandering away from home
• Becoming restless or easily upset in the late afternoon (known as sundowning)
• Exhibiting increasing inability to organize and express thoughts in a timely manner
• Difficulty with tasks that require planning
• Having hallucinations or  becoming delusional
• Exhibiting inappropriate behavior
• Sleeping excessively long or hardly at all

Third Stage

This phase is known as severe Alzheimer’s or final stage and lasts about three years. Symptoms include:

• Having difficulty recognizing family members or even recognizing oneself in the mirror
• Appearing to have little or no memory (not recalling what occured minutes before)
• Having difficulty understanding or speaking (may become mute)
• Making grunting, screaming or groaning noises
• Grasping objects and people (compulsively touching or putting things in the mouth)
• Experience incontinence (bladder and bowel)
• Becoming totally dependent for all personal care (including toileting, bathing, eating)
• Having difficulty chewing and swallowing (contributes to weight loss)
• Becoming severely weak and bedridden (increasing susceptibility to infections, seizures and additional health problems.

Information provided by Rachel Zuckerman

According to a report released on Monday for World Alzheimers Day it has been said that the number of people with Alzheimer’s globally is estimated to double every 20 years.

Leading its way will be Asia Pacific at 89 percent, 77 percent in Southern Latin America and North America not too far behind at 63 percent in increase and Europe with an increase of 40 percent.  The reason behind the report is that people are living longer than past generations and population is also expected to grow.  By 2010 there will be over 35 million people all over the world that will be living with dementia and by 2030 it is expected to double that number.

According to National Institutes of Health one in seven Americans over the age of 71 years old have dementia.  Experts say that the cause of the disease are said to be genetic but that others are thought to be preventable.  Participating in physical exercise as well as mental stimulation has been known to keep the brain healthy. Assistant Professor Andrew Carle from George Mason University believes that “Our brains can be made stronger through exercise and that there’s been some evidence that cognitive exercise can at least delay the onset of Alzheimer’s.”

Antioxidants such as vitamins A, C and E can prevent cell damage and are believed to delay the effects of aging on the body. Certains foods with curry are also a good source of preventing dementia. A study that was done in Singapore that showed those who ate curry for a week helped better their memory scores.  

Fish oil is also another good source as they contain anti-flammatory properties and  Phosphatidylserine supplements which is a major component of cell membranes may also help too. 

Article provided by CNN

According to Julie Williams of Cardiff Univesity, UK new studies were found that there are specific genes that increase the risk of Alzheimer’s and a blood protein that speeds up the cognitive decline of Alzheimer’s.

The study suggests that disruption of the immune system, the way that cells metabolize fat and the wear and tear on the circulatory system may be as much to blame for this devastating illness or the main cause. Dr. Williams states that the findings “show us the prime pathways into the disease”.

With this new finding it may help researchers figure out the underlying biological process that cause Alzheimer’s. Several doctors are however quick to say that there are no treatments overnight as this new finding will take time but could lead research towards drugs that maintain the health of immune and vascular systems.

It is however still a landmark finding and will give researchers a better understanding of possible pathogenic mechanisms leading to Alzheimer’s disease and will give researchers a new boost to find treatment and prevention for this disease. While the study is a breakthrough it doesn’t give an immediate result for the public, there are no new medications to take and no new genetic test to do.  The study will help strengthen the rationale for anti-amyloid drugs and will also generate more focus on treatments targeting inflammation, which haven’t been successful in the past.

For more on this finding and article go to www.newscientist.com

Alzheimer’s is an irreversible disorder of the brain. It develops slowly and often time hard to diagnose in the beginning. An early-stage Alzheimer’s patient may look well and may be able to ”cover up” the signs of the disease. This stage of the disease is also knownas the Onset Period and may last up to five years. Below are some early signs.

• Poor concentration and a short attention span
• Short-term memory problems.
• Depression
• Forgetfulness for example forgetting names, dates and how things work.
• Problems making decisions. Loss of concentration.
• Erratic mood behavior, can easily become frustrated, cranky or just doesn’t talk .  

According to researchers from Utah State University, Duke University, John Hopkins and Boston University; studies show that seniors who have a close relationship with their caregivers can improve the quality of their life and influence their progression with Alzheimer’s. 

Seniors who have a strong bond with their caregivers revealed that they had a slower cognitive decline. The effect was even higher when the caregiver was their spouse. There are still more studies to be done as to which of their activities or involvement with the caregiver seem to contribute to the effect. But one thing for sure is that the time and care that the spousal caregiver invests does matter. While it makes sense that spousal caregiver provides the highest benefit, this can also work with adult children and other relatives taking care of their loved ones.

Although, the effects aren’t apparent having a close relationship with your loved one does go a long way. The disease is still there but there is nothing more comforting than knowing that someone you love and trust is there to take care of you especially in your time of need.     

Article provided by caring.com