In this issue When and how to take away the car keys

1 Newsle erVolumeI,Number2 WWhheenn aanndd hhooww ttoo ttaakkee aawwaayy tthhee ccaarr kkeeyyssOverall, many older adults are capable of drivingsafely, even into their seventies and eighties. Butpeople age differently. Several factors placeseniors at much greater risk for road important, a person 70 or older who isinvolved in a car accident is more likely to beseriously hurt, more likely to requirehospitalization and much more likely to die thana young person involved in the same crash. Knowing the risk factors and warning signs of anolder loved one who has become unable to safelyoperate a vehicle will help you gauge when it stime to take away the keys .

2 There are alsostrategies to help you talk to seniors sensitivelyIInn tthhiiss iissssuueeTTaakkiinngg AAwwaayy tthhee CCaarr ffoorr CCoommmmuunniiccaattiinngg wwiitthh CCaarree AAssssiissttaannccee CCaarree NNeewwss:: FFRREEEE EEyyee (Continued next ) HHoommee CCaarree AAssssiissttaannccee NNeewwss Home Care Assistance caregiver honoredon NBC s TODAY Show! The segment, Natalie Gives Thanks to a Caring Woman, features Terri Suryn, of Home CareAssistance in Denver. TODAY ShowhostNatalie Morales interviewed and praisedTerri for the dedication and time she gave toNatalie s mother-in-law, who has early onsetAlzheimer s Disease. You can watch thevideo now by visiting our Web site !

3 Home Care Assistance opens offices infive new cities! Dallas andFort Worth, TX Birmingham, AL Philadelphia, PA Pittsburgh, PA TTiippss ffoorr ccoommmmuunniiccaattiinnggwwiitthh oollddeerr aadduullttssTalking with older adults can be challenging,whether you re just trying to carry on a friendlyconversation or discussing serious matters relatedto their health, finances or other critical to this the complications of communicatingwith someone who has dementia or Alzheimer sdisease, and the interaction can becomefrustrating. Here are a few tips for improvingyour communication with your older loved ones,even as their own skills begin to tips for good conversationNo matter one s age, communication is vital forhappiness and well-being.

4 We must learn notonly how to recognize and help seniors expresstheir needs, but also to develop effective andpositive ways to talk about important issues and2about giving up driving and present them withpractical transportation factors that impair drivingMany of the changes that often come with agecan adversely affect driving ability. These include: Visual decline including poor depthperception, narrowed peripheral vision,poor judgment of speed and poor nightvision, along with increased sensitivity tobright sunlight, headlights and glare. Hearing loss especially the ability to hearimportant warning sounds while driving. Limited mobility and decreasedflexibility which increases response timeslows pedal selection and steering control,and limits the ability to turn one s head tolook for hazards.

5 Chronic conditions such as rheumatoidarthritis, Parkinson s disease, sleep apnea,heart disease or diabetes can impair drivingskills, even suddenly. Medications as older people often takemore medications, which, in combinationor taken with alcohol, can result in risky,provide instructions. No matter the topic, hereare some suggestions for improving yourinteractions with older adults. Treat the person as a mature speaking in a condescending, child-like or belittling way, which creates tensionand resentment. Speaking to them withrespect and interest gives them dignity. Speak at a medium volumeunless asked to speak up. Yelling right away canseem demeaning.

6 Listen activelyto understand, rather thanjust wait to speak your own t just selectively hear what you expector want to hear. Ask questions to clarify,add positive interjections, or summarizetheir words to show you understand. Givethem an opportunity to correct you. Maintain eye contact,showing that youare interested in what they are saying. Observe their nonverbal cuesand controlyour own, especially those indicatingfrustration, boredom or anger. Avoidfidgeting and maintain an open, friendlybody language. Remember to smile!CareNotes Newsle er, Volume I, Number 2(Continued next ) (Continued on page 4) Communicating (continued):Taking the keys (continued):3unpredictable and dangerous side-effectsand drug interactions.

7 Drowsiness is often due to medicationside-effects or sleep difficulties that comewith age, resulting in daytime tiredness andan increased tendency to doze off duringthe day (or while driving). Dementia or brain impairment makesdriving more dangerous and morefrustrating. It can also cause delayedreactions and confusion on the signs that say stay off the roadAccording to the National Institute on Aging,there are several critical indications that a seniormay be losing the judgment or ability to drive. Incompetent driving at night, even ifcompetent during the day. Drastically reduced peripheral vision,even if 20/20 with corrective lenses. Struggling to drive at high speedeven ifhe or she drives well locally at slow Newsle er, Volume I, Number 2 Taking the keys (continued):CCaarreeggiivveerr ssppoottlliigghhttMary Oladapo, a NJ Certified Home HealthAide and Certified Medical Assistant, startedher career working at a New Jersey-basednursing rehabilitation center for the elderly.

8 Shehas been working in nursing homes facilitiesand private duty for over 20 years. In her two years with Home Care Assistance of Central NJ, Mary has worked with anumber of clients, providing everything fromsimple companionship to attending bedboundclients with Advanced Alzheimer s. Herbreadth of experience has served her well,giving her great flexibility and client in particular, Rina D. fromWatchung, NJ, has high praise for her. MMaarryy iiss eexxttrreemmeellyy ddeeddiiccaatteedd ttoo hheerrpprrooffeessssiioonn,, ssaayyss SShhee hhaass ppeerrssoonnaallllyyhheellppeedd mmee rreeggaaiinn ssoo mmuucchh ssttrreennggtthh iinn TTrruullyy aa wwoonnddeerrffuull Mary represents the type of caregiver thatHome Care Assistance is all about.

9 We are sopleased at the wonderful job she has done. Herpassion for what she does speaks for itself.(Continued next ) Our Caregiver of the Month: Mary Oladapo, of New Erratic driving, such as abrupt lanechanges, braking or acceleration, hittingcurbs, missing turns or scaring pedestrians. Getting lostfrequently, even while drivingon familiar roads. Trouble reading streetsigns or navigating directions. Frequently startled, claiming that cars orpedestrians seem to appear out of nowhere. At-fault accidents or more frequentnear-crashesor dents and scrapes on thecar or on fences, mailboxes, garage doors,curbs, etc. Failing to use turn signalsor keepingthem on without changing lanes.

10 Drifting into other lanesor driving onthe wrong side of the road. Range-of-motion issues, such as failing tolook over the shoulder, trouble shiftinggears or confusing gas and brake pedals. Increased traffic ticketsor warnings by traffic or law enforcement it s time to hang up the keysTalking to a relative about his or her need tostop driving is one of the most difficultdiscussions you may ever face. However, it sbetter if it comes in the form of advice from youor someone he or she knows rather than by anorder from a judge or the of the main reasons seniors are reluctant togive up driving is that it is one of the few waysthey can continue to feel self-sufficient.