Page 21 - Mid Valley Times 9-2-21 E-edition

Thursday, September 2, 2021 | B11 | Mid Valley TiMes
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Take my house, my wallet but not my car!
By Ro Linscheid
Perhaps the most difficult age-related task is giving up the car. Working in a retirement community the subject of driving comes up quite fre- quently. The question, ‘when is the time to stop driving,’ is a dif- ficult one to answer.
Other residents and staff at Sierra View Homes Retirement Community start
to worry when they notice cars that have dents, or cars not parked properly. For most of us passing our driving test, was a real achievement and an anticipation of adventure. When we first get our driv-
ers license we have a real sense of indepen- dence. Through the years, we rely on the car to get us to and from our destinations. Therefore, it is dif- ficult to think about giving up that inde- pendence.
The changes of normal aging can sometimes interfere with one’s ability to drive. Statistics show that drivers age 70 and older experience more car accidents than any other driving group with the excep- tion of drivers under the age of 20. Seniors 70 and older statisti- cally receive more traffic citations for failing to yield, turn- ing improperly, and running red lights and stop signs than other age groups. Aging affects us each differ- ently, some people are able to continue to
drive into their seven- ties, eighties, and even beyond while others cannot or should not. Factors that can be- come problematic, as we age, are decreased vision, impaired hear- ing, slowing motor reflexes, stiffness or pain in your body and changes in cognition. If there is a chronic disease, your cogni- tive and or physical ability to handle a vehicle safely may be affected. Medications can sometimes have
a negative impact on driving at any age.
Environmental fac- tors can also affect
people of all ages. Signs and road mark- ings that are difficult to see or read, com- plex and confusing intersections, older vehicles that lack automatic safety features, and newer dashboard instrument panels all can play a part in driving safety. Now we worry about who is texting while driving on the roads. It is easy to over-
look problems that develop slowly over time because we usu- ally accommodate our daily activities to what we can comfortably do. Issues of aging are hardly noticed be-
cause the changes are so gradual.
Driving is a complex function and prob- lems can come up in a number of ways.
Many older driv-
ers voluntarily begin to make changes in their driving practices. Some may choose to drive only in daylight hours. My mother
was in her 80’s when she gave up driving. She decided on her own that it was time. It was not an acci- dent that caused her to stop. It happened when the passengers
Strategies to address drug interaction side effects
Medications are uti- lized in various ways. Some people take medication to treat issues like headaches or the common cold, while medicine also may be used to treat serious diseases like cancer or heart dis- ease. Each medicine is different, but all share one common trait: the potential to produce side effects.
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration notes that the side effects of medica- tions can range from relatively harmful nuisances like a runny nose to potentially life-threatening is- sues like an increased risk for heart attack. When taking prescrip- tion medications or even over-the-counter drugs like ibuprofen
or acetaminophen, it’s imperative that people discuss the side effects of such medicines with their physicians. Such discussions are espe- cially important for people who are already taking other medica- tions, as the American Academy of Family Physicians notes that adverse drug reactions are more likely to af- fect people who take more than three medi- cines per day.
People who suspect they’re experiencing side effects from medi- cations should contact their physicians imme- diately. Physicians may recommend a host of strategies to treat these common side effects.
health care experts at Michigan Medicine note that drinking plenty of fluids and ex- ercising can help peo- ple overcome constipa- tion. Doctors also may recommend incorpo- rating more bran and whole grains into your diet. Consuming fruits and vegetables that are high in fiber, including apples, beans, broccoli, and prunes, also may help people overcome constipation.
• Diarrhea: The U.S.
National Library of Medicine notes that nearly all medicines can cause diarrhea. Foods like applesauce and rice are unlikely to lead to upset stomach, and these can be con- sumed when people are experiencing diar- rhea. Avoiding spicy foods and foods that are high in fat also can help people overcome diarrhea.
• Headaches: Michi- gan Medicine indi- cates that headaches
might appear as the body adjusts to a new medicine. As the body acclimates, headaches might lessen in severity and ultimately disap- pear. In the meantime, people can speak to their physicians about the safety of taking additional medicine to treat their headaches.
• Loss of appetite: The online medical resource Healthline notes that various drugs, including sleep- ing pills, antibiotics,
blood pressure medi- cations, and diuretics, have been known to cause loss of appetite. Eating healthy snacks between meals and choosing protein-rich foods at mealtime may ensure people get enough calories, vitamins and miner- als each day, even if they’re not eating as much as they used to.
• Nervousness: A feeling of nervousness or of being on edge is another potential side
effect of certain medi- cations. This may occur as the body adjusts to
a new medicine. How- ever, patients may want to discuss lower doses or even alternative medicines with their physicians.
Medications can produce various side effects. If side effects appear, people should contact their physi- cians to develop a safe, effective plan to ad- dress them.
Continued on Next H&F Page
MY CAR...
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• Constipation: The
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