Senior Transportation

Who is the better driver?

a) A 85 year old driver

b) A person who uses their cell phone while driving

c) A drunk driver

d) A teen driver with a friend in the car.

It’s difficult to determine without additional information, but the truth is, it could be the 85 year old. Why? The 85 year old is more cautious, normally drives during daylight hours, drives at slower speeds, and very rarely is distracted by cell phone conversation. However, if this 85 year old, has slow reflexes, gets confused easily, has poor eyesight, or is in poor health, then the 85 year old could be just as dangerous as the others listed. When age, illness, or disability clouds judgment and affects driving ability, it is time to consider turning over the car keys.

The car is the ultimate symbol of freedom and independence. To give up driving is to accept that one is incapable of steering their life’s direction. What most seniors fear is that without transportation they can no longer live independently. How will they grocery shop, get to the doctor’s office, drive to church, see friends? The freedoms of life are often tied to the four wheels in the garage.

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Categories : Senior Driving

Independence Vs Dependance

By Nancy Verhei GCM · Comments (0)

Tuesday, August 3rd, 2010

Home Health for Seniors

In last month’s issue, I discussed the need to declare an “independence day” for yourself whether it’s once a week or once a month to prevent burn out when taking care of multi generations in your family tree.

So what can you do if your loved ones are losing their independence due to age or disability? Doesn’t that cause more dependancy on you? It can definitely add to your load of responsibilities if you do not have a plan in place. It’s time to think of designing a plan since one out of four adults are presently helping an aging parent, or relative.

As an elder’s independence decreases, they often rely on family members to help them cope at home. Many times it comes down to survival, but how can they thrive instead of just survive? This is the most pressing topic for adult children trying to juggle their own lives and that of their parents. Having dealt with this topic for the past 17 years in my business I can offer you a solution.

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Categories : Dependence

Tags : Adult Children

The Sandwich Generation

By Nancy Verhei GCM · Comments (1)

Monday, August 2nd, 2010

Taking care of elderly parents.

The definition of “Sandwich Generation” was coined in 1981 to describe the generation caught between raising their children and taking care of elderly parents. Do you often feel like a peanut butter sandwich? Caught between two pieces of bread, and if you pull the sandwich apart some of the bread comes with it?

If you are the peanut butter (‘glue’) in your family’s sandwich, this column is for you. The truth is,you might often feel that the “sandwich” often feels like a vice grip of stress. The “Baby Boomer” generation put off having children until their late 20’s, 30’s and even 40s. Most families are also feeling the effects of the recession as many grown children move back with parents. This is the reality of our lives.

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Categories : Adult Children

Tags : aging parents, baby boomer generation, geriatric care manager, taking care of elderly parents

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