Elder Care LP » grocery shopping

Driving Ms. Delilah: When is it time to hand over the keys?

eldercare — Mon, 20 Jun 2011 21:17:51 +0000

When do we need to stop driving? As early adolescents, daydreams of driving start to become more frequent for both males and females. What will it be like to be able to drive and not have to depend on anyone else? Will mom and dad let me have my own car? Will I be able to drive to school every day? There is nothing like that magic day when it arrives and you finally have your license in hand. To be able to go anywhere you want whenever you want. Swing by to pick up friends and then you are off. Did you think to ask yourself how long I will be able to drive? The answer on that day is forever. Fast forward fifty or sixty years, and the answer may be different. Age doesn’t change our desire for freedom and independence, but unfortunately health and physical limitations may. When does it become unsafe for seniors to drive? A recent study by the University Of Colorado School Of Medicine demonstrated that there is not a clear answer to this difficult question. Dr Betz, the author of the study, states that someone in their nineties could be more capable of driving than someone who is in their sixties. It all comes down to your health, mental alertness, reflex time and physical strength. Surprisingly, the study also showed that seniors favor mandatory retesting to renew their driver’s license. Deciding when it is no longer safe for someone to continue driving is an emotional subject that many of us may put off longer than we should.

1. Have you noticed new dings, scratches, or dents on the car?

2. Has your loved one recently been in an accident?

3. Are routine errands like going to the grocery store taking a little longer?

4. Is your senior starting to arrive late for appointments and a little flustered when they do arrive?

We all get lost once in awhile or forget where we are going, but if this begins to happen more frequently your senior may need to stop driving. All of these could be signs that you need to have a conversation about driving safety. Retesting may give you the empirical data that you need to support your suspicions, but you still need to address the emotional loss before you will be able to get them to voluntarily hang up their keys. Encourage your loved one to voice their feelings. Remind them that your primary concern is for their safety and those of others on the road. Many seniors aware that they should no longer be driving continue on because they don’t want to be a burden, fear loss of independence, or feel that there is no other alternative. Before you broach the subject make sure that you have solutions to all of their concerns or protest. Contact your city, church or Senior center for a list of driving alternatives such as public transportation, volunteers or agencies that provide transportation. Have bus schedules and telephone numbers available. Explore solutions like carpooling with other seniors that still drive. Enlist family or friends to be available when your senior needs a ride. Driving grandma or grandpa to appointments can be a great way for grandchildren to strengthen their relationship and pay it forward by providing the same help that they themselves may need one day. If your loved one is still not convinced, consider enlisting the help of their physician or other professionals. As a last resort, you may need to disable the car, such as removing spark plugs, or take their keys.

http://www.denverpost.com/news/ci_18141802

New Moms

Kris — Wed, 24 Mar 2010 02:20:48 +0000

If you are a first time or an experienced mom, what can be more exciting than becoming a new mom? As thrilling as it is to be a new mom it can also be very tiring. New moms like babies need to take naps, so they will have the energy to care for their little ones.

Let our caregivers help you with all of those chores and errands that you don’t have time for. We can take care of

Meal Preparation
Light Housekeeping
Grocery Shopping
Much, much more

Need an unusual and extra special gift for a new mom? Give a gift of care to a new mom so she can relax and enjoy her new bundle of joy.

Seniors

Kris — Wed, 24 Mar 2010 01:46:04 +0000

Many seniors want to live independently and not feel like they are a burden to their families. Yet sometimes there are concerns about their ability to perform everyday activities due to a stroke, dementia, loss of strength, vision or mobility. Let Elder Care LP help ease your concerns with hourly or live-in caregivers. With a little extra help most elderly family members can remain independent in their homes, retirement communities, or assisted living facilities. If for some reason your loved one must go to the hospital, rehab facility or assisted living their caregiver will gladly go with them to ease the transition and help with concerns about being in a new environment. There’s no place like home. We believe everyone should be able to live independently.

Caregivers are also available to escort seniors to special occasions such as weddings, parties and other social events. Their caregiver will pick your loved one up at their residence, stay with them during the event and then make sure that they arrive back home.

Here are some of the many activities caregivers can assist with to make life more enjoyable for you and your family:

• Transportation to doctors appointments,
errands, grocery shopping, outings with friends

• Meal preparation

• Medication reminders

• Oral hygiene

• Bathing and dressing

• Eating

• Light housekeeping

• Toileting

• Incontinence care

• Transferring & positioning

• Conversation & Companionship

• Mail management

• Assistance with organization

… as you can see, caregivers from Elder Care LP can help you with anything you want to do during your day. Give us a call at 972-279-2011 if you need help with part or all of your day.