You can make a real difference for your family members, friends and coworkers who are caring for others. On National Caregivers Day, Feb. 17 this year, let them know you get it: You see what they are doing, and you honor and value them.
Many individuals experience changes in vision as they age. February is Low Vision Awareness Month and serves as a reminder to address vision changes, especially when it comes to the safety of those behind the wheel.
Heart health, driving safety, aging, and independence may seem like they’re part of a random word association game, but these concepts are all key to ensuring older adults maintain a healthy aging process. We all want our older loved ones and the older patients we care for to continue having a fulfilling life where they engage in the community and activities they enjoy. Making healthy choices to improve heart health contributes to better overall health and wellness.
Older drivers face unique safety concerns including vision, reflexes, and physical fitness. We have materials to help guide the discussion with older drivers, and children and caregivers of aging adults.
Many assets are available in English and Spanish. Share this information with partner organizations to help spread the message across all communities.
During this week we explore options and choices for clients when “life happens,” affecting driving and mobility and occupational therapy’s response to these changes.
The number of adults 65 and older increased by 29% between 2012 and 2021 in the United States.
For older adults, mobility is essential to staying engaged, active, and independent, experts say, and many of them continue to be active drivers on the nation's roads.
But in 2021, nearly 7,500 people in that age group were killed in traffic crashes, accounting for 17% of all traffic fatalities.
While no U.S. states require drivers to give up their car keys at a certain age, state licensing agencies do have regulations to keep older drivers on the road safely. That includes measures to determine whether drivers can still renew their licenses at all.
So what do you need to know when yours is about to expire?
So what do people without the option of driving do to get around in rural America? It often comes down to learning to use a patchwork of available options.
So what do people without the option of driving do to get around in rural America? It often comes down to learning to use a patchwork of available options.
Driving is one of the greatest symbols of independence and control we enjoy. So just how do you know when your parents should stop driving?