Will Self-Driving Cars Enable Seniors to Keep Driving?

This is my latest update on this important question for senior mobility. Auto industry technology is developing at a much faster rate than anyone might have predicted. It gets closer to self-driving capability with every passing month.

So, I no longer drive the Acura TLX that I raved about in 2015 and I deleted my article about it from that time. Although I did enjoy leasing it, it is no longer unique. Car manufacturer after car manufacturer has added amazing technology to many models, with the number increasing all the time. Just as examples, I can think of Subaru, Genesis, Mercedes, etc., etc.

So my new automobile love is the Touring trim of a 2017 Subaru Outback which does everything the TLX did and then some. But there are many new choices today for someone interested in a vehicle with this kind of technology.

The best thing to do is to consult the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety Ratings Page to look up the car and model you are shopping. And watch the news. I truly believe that totally self driving vehicles are coming soon.

Maybe, just maybe, the day will come when the dreaded conversation about the car keys will no longer be necessary.


Robert Tell, Author
www.roberttell.com

Memory Loss - A few Key Things to Remember (a repeat)

 Just a few tips for the alert caregiver to consider when observing memory loss in a loved one. This is a repeat of a 2008 post. It was very popular and it stimulated much activity on this blog:

* Be alert - document signs of memory loss and circumstances

* Notice if the memory loss is affecting activities of daily living such as planning, organizing and making decisions about every day functions.

* If there is a memory decline/loss be sure to be evaluated by physician

* Keep record of all medications including prescriptions, over the counter, herbs, and vitamins

* Understand the difference between delirium and dementia

* Learn to identify and manage stressful situations

These tips were provided by Jean Bandos, MSN, RN, GCNS-BC Research Director at "My Health Care Manager," a national company that helps seniors and their families manage the complexities of older adult life.

Robert Tell, Author
Dementia Diary, A Caregiver's Journal

What is ElderAction?

 I recently discovered ElderAction and think you should know about it. Jim and Caroline James, the founders, are on a mission of great importance for seniors.

Here's what they say on their website:

"We’re Jim & Caroline and we’re based out of Raleigh, NC. About five years ago, we had to return to our hometown to care for our ailing parents. Little did we know how much we’d learn about the modern senior condition.  Since that first year of our return, we’ve been doing our best to fight for senior mental health and support. We hope you’ll join us in this!"

This looks to me like a significant effort on behalf of our elders. At the moment, ElderAction's focus is on identifying useful resources for highlighting the many issues of aging and eldercare. Check it out, but stay tuned for more. I suspect there will be lots of great information and advice coming from this new source.

Robert Tell, Author

DementiaDiary (A Caregiver's Journal)

What is "Love For The Elderly.org?"

This post is about a 16-year-old teenager named Jacob with a big heart and a great idea to help lonely nursing home residents and other seniors. Let him tell you about it: 

"While volunteering at my local nursing home, I saw many seniors experiencing loneliness and isolation. It was heartbreaking. I needed to change this, so I started to write anonymous letters of kindness. They were so well received that I decided to create website and social media platforms to get the word out about my cause.

"Now, three years later, the global nonprofit I created has impacted tens of thousands of seniors and has inspired people from over 50 countries and 6 continents. I expanded its website, Love for the Elderly.org, beyond anonymous letters to include a Senior Buddy pen-pal program, a Social Impact program, and more! Our newest program, SunshineBox, will launch this August to distribute gift boxes. These will be filled with fun things, like smiley face stress balls, neon yellow sunglasses, and similar items to put smiles on the recipients' faces!

"Our goal is to spread love to a group of people who are so deserving and precious in their final stage of life. If you'd like to help us to bring sunshine into their lives, visit youcaring.com/elderly  this August. Make a difference!"

If the next generation of kids has Jacob's compassion, initiative and caring spirit, we can feel good about the future of our Country. Don't you agree?

Robert Tell, Author

DementiaDiary (A Caregiver's Journal)

What is Lou Gehrig's (ALS) Disease?

Last year, a colleague and good friend succumbed to ALS* (AKA Lou Gehrig's Disease) after a long, courageous battle. He wasn't the first person I've known to have this terrible disease, and I often wondered what these people were feeling and thinking when first diagnosed, and during each stage of the downhill progression of the illness.

Recently, I came across a blog that tells the story of the journey with eloquence and compassion. Called Ray's Little Ride, Ray Spooner, a nurse midwife, entitles his story as a "Journey."

After diagnosis, Ray biked more than 3000 miles across the USA in a successful campaign to fund raise for ALS* research. The blog post referred to above was written in the later stages of the disease and, with a nurse's clinical perspective, shares with the reader his innermost thoughts and feelings. 

It is a journey of courage and bravery and I recommend the blog to my readers.

Robert Tell, Author

Dementia Diary, A Caregiver's Journal

*According to the ALS Association, "ALS (Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis) is a neurodegenerative disease. This fatal disease affects the nerve cells (motor neurons) that control a person’s muscles. As the disease causes these motor neurons to deteriorate, the brain loses the ability to start and control voluntary muscle movement. This is why people with ALS often lose the ability to speak. The disease slowly paralyzes its victims eventually taking away the ability to breathe."

What About The Latest News in Alzheimer's Research?

Is Tau really a more likely cause of cognitive decline in Alzheimer's than Amyloid Beta? Possibly, according to a May 20th article in the CAA Forum, and I quote:

"Scientists using a new PET imaging agent found that measures of tau protein in the brain more closely track cognitive decline due to Alzheimer’s disease compared with long-studied measures of amyloid beta. Scanning multiple individuals the researchers at the Washington University School of Medicine showed that the intensity of tau deposits correlated with the severity of cognitive dysfunction."

The Forum is sponsored by the International CAA Association (CAA standing for Cerebral Amyloid Angiopathy), an organization of medical researchers concerned with cognitive malfunction. For the complete article, please click on this title: "Tau is better marker of progression to Alzheimer’s disease than amyloid beta."

One baby step after another, Alzheimer's Disease gives up its secrets and brings us closer to the elusive cure.

Robert Tell, Author

Dementia Diary, A Caregiver's Journal

Something New? "Great Books—Thriller Books—Mystery Stories"

Guess what? I've started another blog. To see it, please click on the following link: Author's Blog.

This new blog is just one part of my beautiful new website which features all 8 of my books, and my poetry.  Click on the main page: Great Books—Thriller Books—Mystery Stories. I think you'll enjoy surfing around on it. The visuals are stunning.

I've also published much more detail there about "Dementia Diary, A Caregiver's Journal." To view these pages, click on one of the following links: 1. The Book, and/or 2. The Letter.

By the way, I will continue to support this, my original blog, "The Caregiver Chronicles," for as long as there continues to be such a high level of interest in it. It has become very popular.

Thank you all for making it so.

Best wishes,
Robert Tell