medication identification transportation mobility for a...
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aging in place
Gracefully aGinG on your terms
The opportunities and challenges of growing older
An Independent supplement by medIAplAnet to the los Angeles tImes
medication identificationtake control of your medications
Increase happinessbenefits of living social
transportationmobility for a lifetime
December 2011
Gracefully a3Tips
2 · december 2011 An Independent supplement by medIAplAnet to the los Angeles tImes
cHallengeSAs we age, our needs change. The resources presented here will help readers of all ages learn how to adjust properly and help them to continue to age gracefully on their own terms.
aging gracefully in place
nine out of ten older Americans want to live in their own homes for as long as pos-sible. Add to this the fact that one
in five Americans will be 65 or older by 2030, and suddenly the chal-lenges surrounding “aging in place” seem more relevant than ever.
As we age, our needs change. When you reflect on the many environmental factors that con-tribute to happy and healthy aging, what comes to mind? In your home, is it easy to get from room to room? In your community, are your streets safe and accessible—not just for cars, but for pedestrians and bicyclists? Can you reach fam-
ily and friends easily? Do you have access to an interesting variety of shops and restaurants? Knowing that there may come a time when driving is no longer an option, are you aware of your transporta-tion alternatives?
A home in which you can age
comfortably is an important pri-ority among many Americans. But another theme beneath many of our goals and fears surround-ing aging is staying connected. A well-developed network of friends, family, and neighbors, and a sense of involvement in the community can be essential to long-term hap-piness and well-being.
However, in many communities, to achieve a sense of connected-ness, we become dependent on driving as our primary way of get-ting out and around.
“A big challenge is that towns aren’t usually designed around the person—they’re designed around the car,” says Amy Levner, AARP’s Home and Family manager. “But if your mobility is limited, so is your
social interaction. Ultimately, a well-designed community is better for the economy, people’s health, and the environment.”
This “Aging in Place” report is full of valuable tips and informa-tion that addresses the opportu-nities and challenges of growing older. We hope the resources pre-sented here will help readers of all ages learn how to drive safely longer, and stay active, healthy and connected as they age.
In addition to the informa-tion included in this report, AARP offers a variety of easy-to-access resources to help Americans age 50+ live their best lives. Visit aarp.org to learn more.
Julie lee
Your daily doselearn how to manage your prescription medications.
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aging in place, first edition, december 2011
publisher: mariah [email protected] Developer: rebecca ramgren [email protected] Designer and sub-editor: ariela [email protected] Managing Director: Justin guttman [email protected] Designer: missy [email protected]
Contributors: aaa, aarp, the Hartford, Julie lee, Jill smits
Distributed within: los angeles times, december 2011this section was created by mediaplanet and did not involve the los angeles times or its editorial departments.
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One of the biggest issues boomers will confront in the years to come is planning for their future housing needs. According to a sur-vey from The Hartford and the MiT AgeLab, 72 percent of people 50+ want to stay in their current home as they age, but many have no plans in place.
Aging experts recommend boom-ers consider the concept of Univer-sal Design as an easy and simple way to plan for their housing future.
Universal Design is an approach
to design that makes living easy for people of all ages, sizes, and abili-ties.
“peter pan” housingAs people grow older, it becomes clear that many American homes were not universally designed, and things like stairs, narrow doorways and high countertops become qual-ity of life barriers.
“Experts tell us that America’s housing stock could be described as ‘Peter Pan’ housing, designed for people who never grow old.” says Cynthia Hellyar, a gerontologist with The Hartford. “As people age, reduced strength, dexterity and
mobility can make navigating in their homes difficult and dangerous.”
Going universalThough most people want to stay in their homes as long as possible, Hellyar says few make the changes necessary to make it a safe and comfortable place.
“Over time, when normal age related changes such as vision catch up with us, everyday activi-ties that were quick and easy can become more difficult and take longer, particularly in a home that is not universally designed.
But she says, older adults can make simple changes to improve
accessibility and quality of life. “Replacing round door knobs with a lever style handle can remove a frustrating obstacle and make life easier for someone with arthri-tis. While stairs can’t be removed, replacing carpeting with treads, increasing lighting at the top and bottom, and installing a second hand-rail can make them much safer.”
Hellyar also suggests removing thresholds between rooms and increasing lighting throughout the home.
Jill SmitS
Home for a lifetime: embracing Universal Design
JULie LeeVice president of AARp Driver safetyaarp.org/drive Photo: AARP
december 2011 · 3An Independent supplement by medIAplAnet to the los Angeles tImes
cHallengeS
mediaplanet’s business is to create new customers for our advertisers by providing readers with high quality editorial content that motivates them to act.
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According to a National Community pharmacists Association survey, nearly three out of four Americans say they don’t always take their medications as recom-mended. Though there is no single explanation for noncompliance, common predictors include: cost, asymptomatic diseases, side effects, depression, confusion, complex treat-ments, and lack of health insurance.
Cost of noncomplianceWhatever the reason for medi-cation noncompliance, it is a costly problem. For patients, it can result in progressed dis-ease, lower quality of life and even death. But it’s also costly
for the health system in gen-eral, and studies have shown that between one-third and two-thirds of medication-related hospital admissions are the result of poor adherence. A 2005 New England Journal of Medicine study found that non-adherence costs at least $300 billion per year.
Tips for doing betterGroups like the National Con-sumers League and American Pharmacists Association are
working to educate consumers on the importance of medica-tion adherence. To that end, the U.S. Food and Drug Administra-tion offers the following tips:
■■ Communicate with health care professionals
■■ Understand the dose and length of prescription
■■ Ask your doctor for help if pay-ing for prescriptions is a problem
■■ Set daily routines to take medication
■■ Keep medications where you’ll see them every day
■■ Use daily dosing containers■■ Keep a written or computer-
ized schedule.
Jill SmitS
your daily dosenewS
Human contact is good for the body and soul. And whether that contact comes from an individual or the broader community, seniors who have access to it are better off than those who go at it alone.
In its “2010 Older Americans: Key Indicators of Well-Being” report, the Department of Health & Human Services Administra-tion on Aging stated that living arrangements of older people are linked to income, health status and caregiver availability.
For example, the report said that older Americans who live with spouses are less likely to be in poverty than those who live alone. Likewise, older adults who live in facilities with access to amenities,
like meal preparation and cleaning services, may be able to maintain independence and avoid institu-tionalization longer than those without that access.
Togetherness makes us strongerPerhaps the greatest benefit of living socially for seniors is increased over-all happiness. Research has found that older adults with a supportive social network have a better qual-ity of life, and have longer, healthier lives than those without social sup-port. In addition, social interaction protects cognitive ability and stimu-lates many of the body’s systems.
Jill SmitS
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Driving wellness A 2010 National Highway Traffic safety Administra-tion report found that until age 80 most older adults manage most traffic tasks as well as most younger drivers.
Beth Tracton-Bishop, Ph.D., a ger-ontologist with The Hartford, says there’s no magic age that impacts driving and if a particular driver is unsafe, it’s usually because of an underlying health issue.
“As a group, older drivers are rela-tively safe, but normal, age-related changes like reduced strength and reflexes may require people to make adjustments over time.”
proactive approachThings like vision, medical condi-tions and medication usage can all have an impact on driving abil-
ity, and Tracton-Bishop says older drivers should take the following steps to ensure safety:■ Get a complete physical that assesses general health as well as medications■ Engage in driver education to stay aware of rules of the road
■■ Adjust to age-related changes like declining vision or slower reflexes
■■ Ensure vehicle is well main-tained and suitable to individ-ual driving needs.
She also says occupational
therapists can provide a useful assessment of someone’s driv-ing ability, and help determine if there are steps they can take to improve safety.
Making a tough decision easierIf it becomes necessary for an older adult to give up driving, grown children and other family members can help. Most older adults come to the decision to limit or stop driving on their own, so Tracton-Bishop says any conversation on the topic should be supportive.
“It’s important to think about how that person will get around to doctor appointments, social events, and other activities.”
Jill SmitS
Beth Tracton-Bishopthe Hartford, gerontologist
don’t miss!
four keys to driver safetyBe a healthy driver■ Get a thorough physical and eye exam and follow your doctors’ recommendations
■■ Review your medications and any side effects that may relate to safe driving
■■ Exercise regularly to improve your strength and agility
Keep learning■ Take a defensive driving course and keep your knowledge up-to-date
■■ Complete brain fitness pro-grams aimed at improving driv-ing-related skills
Adjust to changes in your driving skills■ Be aware of age-related changes and make appropriate adjustments to your driving
■■ Consider a comprehensive driv-ing evaluation to assess your skills
ensure your car’s safety■ Choose the car that fits you and modify your car if needed
■■ Know your car’s safety features■ Maintain your car
the hartford
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■ Question: Is the lack of sufficient nutrients accelerating the onset of dementia and early memory loss in seniors?■ Answer: there are nutrients that do important work in the brain, and by educating oneself early on the benefits of proper nutrition we can help protect the patient.
Some “senior moments” are actually quite normal, such as forgetting the name of some-one you met a week ago, or for-getting items on the shopping list. However, it’s quite another thing to finish shopping and not be able to remember the drive back home. As we age, our brain does change and simple
forgetfulness is very normal. However, when our cognitive function begins to decline with functional “calculations” or, by consistently forgetting impor-tant dates or details, then you
should discuss this pattern with your doctor.
Dr. Andrew Kerr ’s Family Practice in Ventura has begun to treat many more patients with memory concerns as baby boomers have reached the age where memory loss is their greatest medical fear. “It has become increasingly important that we physicians delve into and investigate early memory loss (now called Mild Cognitive Impairment),” advises Dr Kerr.
“I seek to optimize quality of life for my patient rather than merely address problems after the fact. If we wait for dementia to become fully formed, we’ve missed the window of oppor-tunity to protect the patient.
The stories surrounding elderly mental disease like Alzheimer’s are very sad in terms of the impact on care givers, families and their finances.”
Kerr continues, “I am encour-aged with the results I am get-ting. [There are products out there] to correct an imbalance in the brain that are common among many elderly memory patients. [They] work by restor-ing the brain’s folate balance and increasing the production of three specific neurotrans-mitters: serotonin, dopamine and norepinephrine. Memory loss is a signal to start a discus-sion with your physician.
don’t miss the WindoW of opportunity to protect your memory
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“I seek to optimize quality of life for my patient rather than merely address problems after the fact. If we wait for dementia to become fully formed, we’ve missed the window of opportunity to protect the patient.”
Talk to your doctor if:
■ You increasingly feel over-whelmed trying to make deci-sions
■■ You have trouble finding your way around
■■ You begin missing key events or special occasions
■■ You struggle with important dates, times and/or calculations
■■ You lack passion or emotion in your close relationships
■■ You have a family history of memory problems such as dementia or Alzheimer’s
■■ You have high blood pressure, depression, diabetes (metfor-min will lower folate) or elevated homocysteine (have your levels been checked?)
memory cHecK list
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Question 1:How do I assess my driving ability?
Question 2:Where can I find transportation education and resources?
Question 3:When it comes to car maintenance, what should I consider?
Jake Nelsonaaa director of traffic safety research and advocacy, mpp, mpH
Julie LeeVice president of aarp driver safety
Jodi Olshevski the Hartford, gerontologist
Get an accurate picture by having a comprehensive driving evaluation that includes a clinical evaluation and on-the-road test conducted by a specially trained occupational therapist. Our research shows that many people aren’t aware of this valuable tool.
Cars, roads, driving conditions and traffic rules are constantly changing, so it’s crucial that we assess our driving from time to time. Driving courses (such as AARP’s) can be a great starting point in your assessment, and will help you gauge your driving skills and knowledge.
self-screening is a great first step. It’s confidential and can be done in your own home. For example, AAA Roadwise Review is designed to show how your cur-rent visual, mental and physical condition affects your safety as a driver. It’s available at no cost online at SeniorDriving.AAA.com.
The Hartford’s safe Driving for a Life-time website and blog (thehartford.com/lifetime) provides a host of information. Two resources for transportation services in your community are Eldercare Locator (eldercare.gov or 1-800-677-1116) and the National Center on Senior Transportation (seniortransporta-tion.easterseals.com).
AARp offers a variety of transportation-related resources. In addition to classroom and online driver safety courses, you can find materials online on a variety of topics, including ways to drive down the cost of driving, vision safety tips, and download-able mobility guides to help you get around without a car.
Your local area agency on aging, or AAA club are great resources. Visit SeniorDriv-ing.AAA.com to find a wealth of informa-tion and local resources from screening tools and communication tips, to health and fitness tips important for safe driving and local transportation services.
follow your car’s maintenance sched-ule and in between services pay attention to the little things that can make a world of difference to your safety: (1) Clean wind-shields (2) tire inflation and wear, and (3) the condition of your brakes.
A well-maintained vehicle is crucial to your safety. Have your vehicle checked regularly to make sure your tires are prop-erly inflated, your oil filter is clean, and your brake lights and turn signals work properly. Even with a well-maintained vehicle, “hic-cups” happen, so always pack an emer-gency roadside kit.
The best time to find a repair facility is before you actually need one. Drivers should ask for recommendations on a repair shop, or visit AAA.com/repair to find nearby AAA Approved Auto Repair (AAR) shops. AAR shops comply with strict AAA standards and are monitored for cus-tomer satisfaction.
Drug-impaired driving is a serious safety issue—and not just driving under the influence of illegal drugs and narcotics. Many prescriptions and over-the-counter medications, including some used to treat ill-nesses like arthritis, diabetes, and high blood pressure, can cause impairments such as drowsiness, dizziness, and blurred vision, which can be dangerous for your driving. even among drugs gener-ally considered safe for driving, adverse reactions may still occur, especially when combined with other medications or alcohol.
Here are three tips to help you avoid drug-impaired driving—and stay safe on the road:
■■ Talk with your doctor and your phar-macist. Discuss your medications and ask if any of them should limit you from driving because of side effects
■■ Observe your reactions and keep track of how your body feels and reacts to the drugs and supplements you may be tak-ing. Be sure to note the time you took them and any symptoms you may be feeling
■■ Create a centralized personal medical record, where you list all the medicines you take, including OTC drugs and sup-plements, the doses, and how you take
them. Bring your updated record to all of your appoint-ments, and consider providing a copy to your pharmacist.
For more information and resources, visit aarp.org/drive.
aarP driver Safety
could your medications be affecting your ability to drive safely?
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