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Driving and Older Adults

“The Conversation We May Need to Have”

Driving is essential for most adults around the world. Millions of Americans have cars and use them for different reasons, such as driving to work, visiting family and friends, grocery shopping, going to the pharmacy, and attending to everyday needs. However, with driving, there are higher risks. Car accidents happen nearly every day and affect everyone. Accidents that involve older drivers call attention to the issue of older adults and driving safety. Statistics by themselves may indicate that most older adults are the safest, due to high safety belt use and few alcohol-related charges. But medical conditions, medication, and reduced physical function can increase the risk of accidents and injury for older adults. And since driving gives a sense of independence for most adults, it is understandable why it is often a difficult conversation to have.

As a group, older drivers are typically safe. The number of accidents involving older drivers decreases as age increases. However, older drivers, particularly after age 70, have a higher risk of being involved in collisions for every mile they drive. They have higher crash rates per mile than middle age drivers. The rate of fatalities increases slightly after 70 and significantly after 85. This higher rate is due to the increased inability to withstand the physical trauma that comes with age. Older adults have a higher risk of injury or death in an accident, regardless of who was at fault.

Hopefully, these statistics will be the spark for important conversations to begin. The decision to limit driving, however, varies individually. Ongoing discussions and objective assessments help to evaluate the risks in different situations. What may or may not be said can influence the decisions of older adults and make the difference between safety or injury – which could ultimately be life or death. And of older adults who were surveyed that reported someone had talked with them about their driving, more than half said they followed their suggestions.

Something thing to consider is who the older adult is talking to. Hearing sensitive information from the right person can make a big difference. Older adults often prefer to speak confidentially about driving safety with someone they trust, so carefully selecting the person to initiate the discussion will increase the chances of success. Be sure to consider the personalities of those involved in the discussion and past experiences approaching difficult topics.

The Hartford Center for Mature Market Excellence (Hartford/MIT AgeLab) took a survey of older drivers, indicating that they have specific preferences for conversations about driving that vary on several different factors. One factor is spouses. Men tend to prefer to hear from a spouse. But not all couples would choose their spouse for these conversations. Another factor is doctors. Their opinions are often valued by older drivers. Something to keep in mind, however, is that doctors may not be able to detect driving problems based on office visits or physical examinations alone. Adult children can also have an impact on conversations about driving. They have more influence with parents over 70 than parents in their 50s and 60s. A study showed that women are more receptive than men to the idea of hearing from adult children. Most adults said they prefer not to hear about driving concerns from police officers, but it may be necessary for intervention if an older driver is unsafe or unwilling to stop driving.

Older drivers may express strong emotions when someone talks about their driving. A study found that 26% of older adults reported feeling sad or depressed after the conversation. Less than 10% responded with anger. These negative reactions are usually a result of the message, not necessarily the messenger. There are perceived implications to not driving. Older adults may interpret this as having fewer trips outside the home, increased or permanent dependency on others for transportation, and fewer social opportunities. Family members can also experience strong emotions. A calm response will ensure productive discussion and defuse negative emotions about the topic. Families in the Middle Peninsula and Northern Neck region should be aware of Bay Transit, a safe alternative form of transportation that allows people of all ages to maintain their independence.

Early, occasional, and honest conversations will establish a pattern of open dialogue and can reinforce driving safety issues without the strain of asking a person to change their driving behaviors. It will allow older adults to consider their driving skills and make the necessary changes. Certain situations can help to create space for conversations to happen, such as car accidents, near misses, self-regulation of driving and health changes. Most older adults believe that family members should talk to them when a potential problem occurs.

It is important to prepare for these conversations about limiting or stopping driving. Be sure to get all the facts and learn about the warning signs of driving problems. Observe the driving of the older adult in question and try to notice any patterns. Discuss any concerns with a doctor and determine what information you will need to provide, given the older adult’s medical condition. Investigate alternatives for helping the driver adjust to limitations. Consider ways to satisfy social and transportation needs such as Bay Transit. And most importantly, be supportive. The transition from being a driver to being a passenger is not easy. Supporting and understanding older drivers is essential. There may be several conversations about driving and safety, so it is important to not be dissuaded by negative reactions. Be sure to share your concern and desire to protect the driver’s best interests.

If a driver does not realize that their driving is a serious problem, and their skills deteriorate even after restrictions, it is very important to have a follow-up conversation. These could occur with family members, doctors or even law enforcement officials if necessary. If you are unsure as to whether a driver’s skills are deteriorating, there are tests for cognition, reflexes, vision, flexibility, and visual attention, which are all important for driving. A doctor may refer to a qualified occupational therapist for a comprehensive driving evaluation. It allows the therapist to help the driver with being safe and determining whether specific equipment is necessary.

If the older driver has dementia, they should be given the opportunity to make decisions about driving, if their safety is not compromised somehow. Over time, they will start to lose the ability to assess their own driving skills. Anyone with a diagnosis of Alzheimer’s or any form of progressive dementia, will eventually lose the skills necessary for safe driving. In this case, family members and doctors need to collaborate to protect the person and may need to take immediate action. Getting lost in familiar places is a serious warning sign. If persons are confused and forgetful, they may not be able to respond to the constantly changing road conditions.

Having to limit or give up driving is not an easy decision for older adults to make. Families can help to make these decisions by having frequent, honest discussions about driving safety and health. Transitions ideally happen gradually, which will allow all family members to adjust to the new circumstances. Good preparation and caring communication will help to have successful family conversations. For more information, details on warning signs in older adults or additional resources, feel free to check out the Hartford Center for Mature Market Excellence. For any questions or concerns about resources within the Middle Peninsula/Northern Neck regions, visit https://bayaging.org/ or call 800.493.0238. To learn about Bay Transit and how public transportation can help your loved one maintain their independence call 877.869.6046.

*Information from this article was pulled from the Hartford’s Driving Safety Guidebook, We Need To Talk: Family Conversations with Older Drivers.

What IS Alzheimer’s?

You are not alone! Bay Aging is here to help people diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease or other related dementia and their caregivers. Please, call our toll free number 1.800.493.0238 for more information and services.

Alzheimer’s disease is a drastically growing issue today. In Virginia, there is a total number of 150,000 people with Alzheimer’s, most of them between the ages of 75 and 84. This number is expected to rise to 190,000 by 2025, a 26.7% increase. In 2019, there were 2,592 people who died from Alzheimer’s, the 6^th leading cause of death. There were about 103 Geriatricians in 2019, but there is a 294% increase needed to meet the needs of the Alzheimer’s population by 2050. In the US, there’s an estimated 5.8 million Americans 65 and older that are living with Alzheimer’s in 2020. 80% of people are 75 or older. It is estimated that by 2050, there will be nearly 13.8 million Americans 65 and older that will suffer from Alzheimer’s. While this may be the case, more research is being done on a regular basis, and with education and being proactive about our health, management and prevention of Alzheimer’s disease can be possible.

But what is Alzheimer’s? What causes it?

Alzheimer’s disease was first described back in 1906 by Dr. Alois Alzheimer. He was a German physician who worked with a patient named Auguste D., a patient who had significant memory loss, unfounded suspicions of her family and other worsening psychological changes. In her brain during an autopsy, Dr. Alzheimer saw dramatic shrinkage and abnormal deposits in and around nerve cells. He died before he could realize how important his research was, and how it would later touch the lives of millions of people and spark a global research effort. This is where Alzheimer’s disease received its name, given by Emil Kraeplin, who worked with Dr. Alzheimer.

Alzheimer’s is a form of dementia that can affect our memory, thinking and behavior. Symptoms can grow severe enough to the point where they can interrupt daily or regular tasks, resulting in a person becoming more dependent on others for care. Many people can confuse Dementia and Alzheimer’s to be the same. However, they are slightly different. Dementia is a general term that refers to the decline in mental abilities such as memory, thinking or reasoning. There are many different forms of Dementia, it is not one specific disease. Alzheimer’s, however, is a specific brain disease that is caused by complex brain changes that leads to cell damage. This can then lead to dementia symptoms.

There are microscopic changes happening in the brain long before any signs of memory loss first appear. Our brains have 100 billion nerve cells called neurons. Each one connects with many others to form communication networks. They all have certain jobs such as thinking, learning, memory, sight, or smell. Brain cells operate like small factories to do their work. They need supplies and energy to function and process information, such as fuel and oxygen. Scientists believe that Alzheimer’s disease prevents certain brain cells from running properly. They are not sure where the origin of the trouble is. But when one cell stops working properly, it causes a backup and breakdowns in other areas. The damage spreads, and cells continually lose their ability to do their jobs and eventually die. This will then cause irreversible changes in the brain, as there is no way to revive or regenerate these cells.

Two abnormal structures that are seen to be prime suspects in damaging and killing nerve cells are plaques and tangles. Plaques are deposits of a protein fragment called beta-amyloid (BAY-tuh AM-uh-loyd) that build up in the spaces between nerve cells. Tangles are twisted fibers of another protein called tau (rhymes with “wow”) that build up inside cells. Autopsies have that most people develop plaques and tangles as they age, but those with Alzheimer’s develop far more and in a predictable pattern, starting in the areas important for memory before spreading. The video below from Alzheimer’s Society explains the process of Alzheimer’s within the brain in more detail.

Contrary to what some may think, Alzheimer’s is not a normal part of aging. Increasing age is a risk factor, however, as most people with Alzheimer’s are at least 65 years or older. It is not just a disease that affects old age, though. There are around 200,000 under the age of 65 that have younger-onset Alzheimer’s (if you’d like to learn more on younger-onset Alzheimer’s, see more information here and here).

There is still a lot that is unknown about Alzheimer’s, and as of today there is no cure, only treatments to help with symptoms and slow the progression of the disease. Researchers believe that there is not a single cause of Alzheimer’s. There is a chance it could be from a combination of factors, such as genetics, lifestyle and environment. Scientists are continuing to research ways to detect those who might be at a higher risk for Alzheimer’s disease.

It is believed that there is not one single cause to Alzheimer’s disease. Rather, it is likely a combination of multiple factors, such as genetics, lifestyle, and environment. Certain factors, of course, cannot be changed, such as age and family history. But more evidence continues to show that other factors can be influenced. Increasing age is one of the biggest risk factors, but it is not a normal part of aging. As someone gets older, the risk increases. Family history is another strong risk factor. Those with a parent or family member with Alzheimer’s are more likely to develop the disease.

Among the risk factors that can be influenced are head injuries, heart health and healthy aging. This means eating a healthy diet, staying active and being social, practice proper wellness and staying safe and healthy above everything. These can all reduce the likelihood for someone to develop Alzheimer’s disease. Taking care of yourself now will prove to be very beneficial in the long run. This includes regular visits to the doctor and staying up to date on vaccinations. As more research develops, we can hope that a cure for Alzheimer’s disease is on the horizon, helping to save millions of affected people.

Gilman Heating, Cooling and Plumbing Makes Generous Donation to Bay Aging

On October 28th, Gilman Heating, Cooling and Plumbing made a generous donation of $3,000 to the Bay Aging Foundation. The donation was presented by Andrew Hancock, Gilman’s Vice President, and Brian Dooley, Gilman’s Sales Manager, to Michael Norvell, Bay Aging’s Vice President of Marketing.

“Speaking on behalf of everyone at Gilman Heating, Cooling and Plumbing, we are delighted to be partnering with Bay Aging in support of their incredible programs and services,” Dooley said. “Like Bay Aging, we support and serve the Northern Neck and Middle Peninsula and are proud to demonstrate our commitment to these communities with our donation.”

“We are very thankful for the generous donation that Gilman Heating, Cooling and Plumbing made to the Bay Aging Foundation,” said Kathy Vesley, Bay Aging’s President & CEO. “Especially during these difficult times, we are pleased that Bay Aging is receiving critical support from community partners like Gilman Heating, Cooling and Plumbing.”

Pictured: (from left to right): Gilman Heating, Cooling and Plumbing’s Vice President, Mr. Andrew Hancock, and Gilman’s Sales Manager, Mr. Brian Dooley, presenting a donation to Bay Aging’s Vice President of Marketing, Michael Norvell.

People standing in front of truck making donation

Caring For Our Caregivers: You Are Not Alone

Caregivers provide regular care or assistance to a friend or family member that has a health problem or a disability. According to the 2015 Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (BRFSS) Data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), 1 in 5 adults in Virginia are caregivers. 58% of them are women, and 19% are 65 years or older. Approximately 41% are caring for a parent or parent-in-law, and 8% of caregivers are providing care for someone who has dementia. Caregiving is often time-consuming and challenging. Over half of caregivers have provided care for at least two years and nearly 1/3 have provided care for at least 20 hours per week. Committing so much of oneself to a daily task such as caregiving can, ultimately, influence their wellbeing.

In addition to the challenge of caregiving, there are often other difficulties that can add onto the stress. Families living in rural areas have particularly unique challenges. Accessing proper support, including respite care, is more challenging regardless of the age or condition of the care recipient. Family caregiving can be stressful, but certain factors such as less job opportunities and financial resources, limited access to health and social services, transportation barriers and geographic isolation that are widespread for many rural areas, can add onto it.

Rural areas have evolved over time, reflecting more current social, economic, and political climates. The number of family farms has declined and dependence on agriculture for economic stability is less so compared to decades ago. As young people have left rural areas for economic and social reasons, there has also been a larger rural aging population that is becoming increasingly dependent on individuals other than immediate family members for daily caregiving assistance. This change, alongside family members returning to the workplace for necessary reasons, has reduced number of family caregivers, and therefore lessened the available pool of potential formal service providers. There are also many veterans in rural areas, who also have health and social service needs, which result in an even greater demand for caregiving services.

Caregivers take up many different types of responsibilities. More than 80% of them manage household tasks of all types. Over 50% assist with personal care. And as the number of dementia and Alzheimer’s cases rise, expected to double over the next two or three decades, so will the need for caregivers. It is estimated that 1 in 7 non-caregivers expect to become caregivers within the next two years.

It is important for caregivers to remember to take care of their health. A few ways to do this include: seeking support from other caregivers, taking care of your health so you can be strong enough to care for your loved one, accepting offers of help and give specific requests that people can help with, learning how to communicate effectively with doctors, taking respite breaks, watching out for signs of depression and not delaying getting professional help, being open to new technologies that can help with caring for loved one, organizing medical information for ease, making sure legal documents are in order, and, most importantly, giving yourself credit for doing your best is one of the toughest jobs. Remember, you are not alone.

There are online resources for additional information or resources. You can visit https://bayaging.org/dementia-friendly-middle-peninsula-northern-neck/ to learn more about Dementia Friendly community in the Middle Peninsula and Northern Neck area. On it is a handout with information about Alzheimer’s and tips on caregiving. Youtube videos are available for more interactive learning, and can be found here https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UWRN1QxSZJE . Bay Aging has many services and resources that can be found on the website www.bayaging.org. For those without access to the internet, please call Bay Aging at 1-800-493-0238.

Bay Aging breaks ground on new 40-unit apartment building in Gloucester County

Bay Aging recently broke ground on a new income-restricted senior apartment building in Gloucester County. The new 40-unit apartment complex will provide needed affordable housing for seniors in Gloucester County and complement the ten existing Bay Aging senior rental housing communities across the region. “This effort has been years in the making,” said Joshua Gemerek, Senior Vice President of Bay Aging’s Housing Division. “Obviously, we would have liked to have held a big groundbreaking ceremony, but COVID-19 concerns kept us from doing so. Nevertheless, we are very excited to add to the affordable housing stock in the area.”

Daffodil Gardens Phase II is being constructed adjacent to the original Daffodil Gardens; a 64-unit rental housing community built in Gloucester County in 2001. The human service campus also includes Bay Aging’s Gloucester Adult Day Care Center and a Bay Transit facility, which provides residents with easy access to an array of services. Residents are only minutes away from Riverside Walter Reed Hospital, a Food Lion grocery store, pharmacy and other professional services and shops.

Parker General Contractors, which has completed several affordable housing projects for Bay Aging, is overseeing the construction of Daffodil Gardens Phase II. dBF Associates are the projects architects and Bay Design Group are providing civil engineering services. The facility will meet both universal design and sustainability standards. Daffodil Gardens Phase II will fill an important gap in the local Gloucester community. Daffodil Gardens, the existing apartment complex, remains at full capacity, highlighting the continuing need for affordable senior housing across the region. The new apartments will help residents live in a setting where they can easily access related services and support the community’s long-term vitality. Half of the units will serve residents with incomes at or below 60 percent of the area median income (AMI), while the other half will be reserved for residents whose incomes are at or below 50 percent AMI. “Daffodil Gardens II will help address a serious shortage of affordable housing for older residents not just in Gloucester County but across the entire region,” said Kathy Vesley, President and CEO of Bay Aging. “We appreciate the tremendous support we received from a myriad of partners including Virginia Housing, Virginia Community Capital, Federal Home Loan Bank of Atlanta, Virginia Community Development Corporation, Southeast Rural Community Assistance Project, the Virginia Department of Housing and Community Development, and the Gloucester Economic Development Authority who all helped to make Daffodil Gardens II a reality,” she added.

Growing Together: New Initiatives, Partnerships and Perspectives Shape Bay Aging’s COVID-19 Response

Bay Aging appreciates the many community partners, volunteers and donors who have helped us deploy these initiatives and quickly respond to COVID-19 challenges.

Topics in this issue:

Bay Transit named Outstanding Community Program of the year
The faces of Helping Neighbors volunteers and recipients
Volunteering is a family affair
Bay Aging’s Mobile Food Pantry service
It’s never too early to foster a sense of civic duty in the kids
Seed packets distributed to “Grow Together” with our neighbors
Bay Transit keeps focus on customer service and safety
Community support helps drive initiatives

To read the full newsletter click here

Bay Aging Responds to the COVID-19 Pandemic

Bay Aging appreciates the many community partners, volunteers and donors who have helped us deploy these initiatives and quickly respond to COVID-19 challenges. We continue to explore, plan and launch new programs such as our “Mobile Food Pantry” which will begin the week of May 11th. Partnering with local community grocery stores such as the Urbanna Supermarket, Bay Aging will purchase and deliver bags of shelf-stable groceries to older residents throughout our core service area in the Northern Neck and Middle Peninsula.

To read the full newsletter click here

Tony & George’s Seafood & Italian Restaurant helps kick-off “Helping Neighbors” initiative

On April 15^th, the appreciative residents of Bay Aging’s Winters Point senior apartments in West Point were treated to delicious home cooked meals donated by Tony & George’s Seafood & Italian Restaurant. The meals were delivered by head waitress Carmen Mayfield, who has worked at Tony & George’s for over fifteen years. Ms. Mayfield, clad in a protective mask and gloves, greeted residents with the enticing aroma of fried chicken, mashed potatoes with gravy, green beans, a warm dinner roll and a homemade brownie for dessert. “The Winters Point residents gave us a card thanking us for our kindness. It was lovely seeing the appreciation on their faces,” Ms. Mayfield said. “During this time of crisis, we wanted to do something for the people in our community, so we chose to feed the seniors at the Winters Point apartments,” added Tony Ashikis, co-owner of the restaurant.

The meal deliveries were among the first of many Bay Aging hopes to coordinate through its new Helping Neighbors initiative. The goal of Helping Neighbors is to support seniors, and those with underlying health conditions, to stay in their homes and be safe throughout the Coronavirus outbreak. Additionally, Helping Neighbors is structured to support the local economy by purchasing meals from area restaurants. Bay Aging is approaching specific restaurants as requests for assistance from area residents are received.

For Jessica Schlosshan and Her Daughter Volunteering is a Family Affair

March for Meals Campaign Celebrates Bay Aging’s Meals on Wheels Program

Jessica Schlosshan has been delivering Meals on Wheels in Mathews County for six years, but she’s been volunteering since she was a child. “I’ve always been an advocate for the elderly,” Jessica said. “When I was in Girl Scouts, we’d go to nursing homes on holidays and play games with the residents. Their faces would light up like a Christmas tree.”

Jessica first learned about Bay Aging’s Meals on Wheels program driving by the Mathews County Active Lifestyle Center where she saw a volunteers needed sign. “I decided to drop in and learn about it,” she said. There she met Laura Matthews, who manages the center and coordinates Meals on Wheels deliveries throughout Mathews County. “I love Laura. She’s incredible and I was excited to get started,” Jessica noted. Now, after six years of making deliveries in the Cobb’s Creek area, “Many of my clients feel like family. We spend a lot of time with some of the homebound seniors outside of Meals on Wheels. We celebrate birthdays, bring them books, and even get replacement parts for canes or walkers.”

The “we” Jessica referred to are both the Meals on Wheels recipients and her daughter, Raven, a senior at Mathews County High School. “She loves Meals on Wheels,” Jessica said. “Raven has been riding with me and participating when it doesn’t conflict with school. If I’m sick, she can cover for me and does my route when needed so we don’t have to have Laura scrambling for a substitute volunteer. The Meals on Wheels recipients love Raven and she loves them. It’s become a family affair for all.”

Meals on Wheels volunteers often cite the many benefits they realize from volunteering. “They are a blessing,” Jessica said. “It’s one thing I always look forward to. If I’m having a bad day, I just remind myself that I will soon be filling their bellies while they fill my heart.”

Laura Matthews said, “We are so thankful to Mathews County Public Schools for the incredible, home-cooked meals they prepare for our seniors every week.” Added Jessica,” The ladies in the Mathews cafeteria who cook the meals are incredible! The food they make early every morning is prepared with so much love. The Cobb’s Creek route takes me about three hours, yet the last meals is always hot and just as delicious as the first.”

Bay Aging is almost always seeking individuals to give of their time as volunteers in our Meals on Wheels program. Typically, volunteers serve approximately two to three hours once a week delivering meals to the seniors in their community. However, we are extremely flexible and can arrange a volunteer schedule that works for you. Ken Rogers, Director of Bay Aging’s Retired and Senior Volunteer Program (RSVP), noted, “Almost every county we serve has a rapidly growing senior population and, in many cases, Meals on Wheels deliveries are the only way these seniors can continue to live independently in their own homes. For example, about a third of the residents in Mathews County are age 65 or older and many of these seniors live alone.”

The national March for Meals campaign is an annual month-long event designed to generate public awareness about senior hunger and isolation and to celebrate the invaluable services provided by senior nutrition programs. Given the exemplary public-private partnership that Bay Aging’s Meals on Wheels embodies, this annual campaign is also intended to showcase the successes of the Older Americans Act, help recruit new volunteers from our community and to increase fundraising from local businesses and supporters. To volunteer and/or donate, please visit www.bayaging.org/support.

About Bay Aging:

For over 40 years, Bay Aging has been caring for older adults and people with disabilities in the Northern Neck and Middle Peninsula with meals, home and personal care, public transportation, home repairs and living options. Our goal is to help people live independently in their own homes and communities surrounded by their own things and, wherever possible, their families and friends. Our top priority is to keep independence, home and community at the hub of life in the rural counties we serve.

Last year Bay Aging’s services affected over 23,000 lives! Every year, we:

Deliver 144,688 meals to those who might otherwise not have a reliable source of food.
Provide over 140,000 public transportation rides that help people of all ages access jobs, health services, education and other consumer needs.

People want to age safely in their homes and communities. To help them realize this goal, Bay Aging’s Housing Division owns and operates ten income-restricted senior apartment complexes throughout the region providing safe and affordable homes for 365 full-time residents. Additionally, residents benefit from receiving the social supports they need to ensure healthy, independent living.

Bay Aging’s health division provides in-home care and companionship services and transitional care services for recently discharged at-risk, chronically ill patients through our VAAACares® program. Adult day care provides a safe haven for people with Alzheimer’s disease and other disabilities so that they can thrive and live with their families longer. The award-winning Veterans Directed Care program provides essential support services for nursing home eligible veterans of all ages who want to continue living at home.

Friends of the Deltaville Library Donate Books to Bay Aging

Earlier today (02/207/2020), the Friends of the Deltaville Library generously donated an assortment of large print books to Bay Aging for the residents of our senior apartments and Active Lifestyle Centers to enjoy. Friends of the Deltaville Library President Melissa MacKimm and Vice President Pat Anderson, helped Bay Aging staff pick out an assortment of engaging titles including books on gardening, history, biographies, mysteries and much more.

“The Friends of the Deltaville Library has been supporting the library since 1987,”said Ms. Anderson. “We regularly participate in the Annual Children’s Carnival with the Kiwanis Club and we are excited to support reading at Bay Aging’s senior apartments.”

Pictured from left to right:

Mrs. Melissa MacKimm, Friends of the Deltaville Library’s President; Michael Norvell, Bay Aging’s Vice President of Development and Marketing; Mrs. Pat Anderson, Friends of the Deltaville Library’s Vice President.