Often, there are many reasons for accidents among senior drivers. Some accidents are simply due to ageing, while others can be caused by medical conditions. Anemia and Alzheimer’s are two examples of diseases that can cause accidents. The article discusses these diseases as well as transportation services, medications, and accidental falls.
Alzheimer’s
Having Alzheimer’s disease or dementia can make driving a dangerous undertaking. Fortunately, there are ways to make driving easier and safer for older drivers. Medications, behavioral therapy, and other safety measures can reduce the risk of injury.
The first step is to talk with your doctor or therapist about your options. There are many medications that can help with dementia symptoms. Each medication has its own risks. Combining medications with behavioral therapy can be very beneficial.
Chronic conditions like diabetes can be controlled with medication. Changes in blood sugar levels can affect a person’s ability to think, see, and feel their feet. A person’s ability and ability to drive may also be affected by changes in blood sugar levels.
Although medications are often used to manage chronic conditions, they do not replace the physical ability to drive. An occupational therapist can assess one’s driving abilities and make recommendations regarding vehicle modifications and mobility counseling.
Older drivers may have difficulty with vision, range, and foot pedals. They might also have difficulty navigating curbs and looking over their shoulder while driving. They may also avoid driving in bad weather or rush hour.
To assess a person’s driving abilities, it is a good idea for them to consult a driving rehabilitation specialist and Abogados de Accidentes de Auto Chula Vista. Occupational therapists often work in hospitals or universities and can offer vehicle modifications and mobility counseling.
It is a good idea to talk about driving restrictions with your loved one. It is also a good idea to share driving activities. If one person is driving, it can lead to problems for the other driver.
Accidental falls – Abogados de Accidentes de Auto Chula Vista
No matter if it’s a slip-and fall or a crash with a vehicle, falls are the leading cause of death for seniors. According to the National Safety Council, a fall-related injury accounts for one in 19 deaths among seniors. Falls can result in broken bones, concussions, and traumatic brain injuries.
RAND Corporation did a study on the safety of older drivers in traffic. The study revealed that elderly drivers are more likely to be involved with a motor vehicle collision than those in their prime. They also found that 80 percent of elderly drivers were auto-dependent. Aside from this, alcohol impairment has been shown increase crash risk.
Despite these statistics, there are still many misinformation. Carnegie Mellon University conducted a study that found older drivers misunderstood the brake pedal for their gas pedal. In addition, most senior drivers had clean driving records.
Another study showed that older drivers who have had a fall history are more likely to be involved with a car crash. According to the AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety, seniors who have fallen in the past are 40 percent more likely to be involved in a car accident compared to those who have never fallen.
The study also found that older drivers with a fall history were more likely to be involved in an at-fault MVC. However, this relationship may not hold true in those who are frail or in a medical institution.
The study also showed that the age-adjusted rate of fall injury death among the elderly rose from 29.6 percent to 56.7 percent for every 100,000 people between 2000 & 2013. While this is a dramatic increase, it still ranks higher than the age-adjusted rate of motor vehicle accidents.
Medications
Senior drivers are at greatest risk of accident due to taking medication. Medications can cause impaired driving, fatigue, incoordination and confusion, reducing driving safety and increasing crash risk.
Although older drivers are more likely than ever to take medication, little is known about the effects of these medications on driving safety. Research has shown that certain medications can increase crash risk among older drivers. The relationship between driving, medication, and driving is complicated.
A recent study, conducted by AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety, looked at drivers 55 years and older. It was found that nearly one fifth of the drivers were taking five or more potentially dangerous medications on a weekly base.
The study was based on data from the AAA Longitudinal Research on Aging Drivers (LongROAD) study. It included 3,000 older drivers aged 65 to 79. The study also evaluated driving knowledge and use of over-the counter medications.
After accounting for gender, age, income, education level, driving days, and urban/rural residency, medication use was evaluated. After accounting for these factors, the total number of medications used was associated with a higher rapid deceleration rate.
The study found that drivers were using a number of medications, including central nervous system drugs, hormone-related drugs, and cardiovascular drugs. These medications can increase crash risk by as much as 41%. The study also revealed that drivers who use sedating antipsychotics have a higher risk of colliding with others.
Antihistamines and narcotic pain medication are also associated with increased crash risk. Some of these medications may cause incoordination or dizziness, making driving dangerous.
There is an increased risk of MVC in drivers taking benzodiazepines, including diazepam, clonazepam, lorazepam, and clonidine. This could be due either to driver’s behavior, comorbidities, or both.
Anemia and Depression
Despite all the technological advances over the past decade, a study on older adults in the community didn’t reveal that anemia or depression are the most common causes of automobile accidents among the senior population. Many of these older motorists also take prescription medications that can cause them to lose their driving skills, or worse, even cause accidents. Among other potential culprits, the elderly may also be prone to other road rash hazards such as vision deficits and sluggish muscles. This could also be attributed to an increased dependence on automobiles for primary transportation. There are many programs available to make drivers more responsible and safer. Among other things, the Federal Highway Administration (FHA) has reported crash trends among older drivers.
Transportation services
Senior drivers may be safer if they have access to more transportation services. Older drivers are more likely to be injured or killed in an accident than younger drivers. They are also more vulnerable to medical conditions and disabilities.
There are many resources available for older adults looking to find transportation. There are many resources that can help you find a ride. These include local newspapers, church bulletin boards and group meetings at coffee shops. You can also look to your neighbors and friends for help.
Many grocery stores offer senior shopping van service. This type of transportation is usually door-to-door and is driven according to the client’s needs. The driver charges the rider for the service. Some grocery stores have expanded this service to provide additional vehicles.
Another resource is the National Safety Council, which offers information on driving and safety for older adults. There is also an organization called Habitat for Humanity that organizes thousands of retired volunteer drivers to build affordable housing.
Family members or caregivers may be concerned about the driving skills of a loved one. It is important to discuss this topic with him or her.
Inform local elected officials about how important transportation services are for seniors. Some jurisdictions encourage the development of non-automobile-based transportation services. They might also encourage the development of “smartgrowth” programs. These programs are designed to encourage more “livable” communities.
There are also many community organizations that already operate volunteer transportation programs. Some of these services use public-financed vehicles. You may be able help a friend or relative who requires transportation services by starting a program.
