Sunday, September 27, 2009
Elder Drivers
Driving is a serious task requiring coordination, good reaction time and a great sense of responsibility. Although senior citizens were at one point capable of all these skills; as times as progressed they have lost ability to do so. Because of diseases such as glaucoma, rheumatoid arthritis, and cataracts the elderly people’s ability to drive have diminished through each passing year. So it goes without saying that Florida should adopt mandatory testing of drivers over the age of 65.
As findings have shown motor vehicles are the leading cause of accidental death among elder aged 65 to 74 and the leading cause for those over 75 years. Having senior citizens on the road incapable of driving causes more unneeded dangers to the road putting themselves as well as others risk. To some degree it is equivalent to having intoxicated drivers on the road. Impairments typically found within the older population are visual, hearing, and mobile which are without a doubt vital skills needed to drive. Chronic conditions like diabetes, and Parkinson’s which causes tremors and slowness in movement can limit mobility. In addition presbycusis, a hearing impairment associated with age can cause older individuals to disregard signals such as honking and emergency sirens.
In addition medical side-effects as a result of combining different medications to treat age associated conditions can cause one to become drowsy and unconsciously lose control of the vehicle. This accompanied with the inability of most to read road markings and signs due to presbyopia and macular degeneration all but strength by decision to test drivers over the age of 65. Additionally the inabilities of the elderly can also be mental as well as. Dementia a serious cognitive disorder affecting memory, attention, and problem solving can alter the perception, mental capacity and leave one unaware of his or her surrounds while driving.
So as you can see there are many conditions and diseases that can limit the older populations’ ability to drive like they once use to. However it is important to keep in mind that not all individuals 65 and older are incapable of driving. These findings can only be applied to a select few. Furthermore testing senior citizens is something that should be done but requiring senior citizens to comply with these test and regulations that threaten their independence which many have strived to achieve is hard to do and we must take their feelings into consideration.
Sunday, September 27, 2009
Sunday, September 13, 2009
Aging Stereotypes
Sunday, September 13, 2009
Aging Stereotypes
Stereotypes can be applied to every demographic background; including the elderly. Some common stereotypes associated with the elderly are that they are not sexually active, they are crazy, demented individuals, have an unpleasant odor, and are slow drivers. In addition they walk around with walkers, wear orthopedic shoes, and watch the Price is Right. Furthermore the elderly are always depicted playing bingo or on shuffle boards wearing sunglasses with large shields.
Although some of this stereotypes do have a merit that are not entirely true; as goes the case with all stereotypes. I know many senior citizens who actually drive faster than teenagers. In fact they are much more reckless than their younger counterparts. As far as being sexually active I would assume that they are not as this is an activity that requires a lot of energy and excitement leaving ones health into question. Walkers and orthopedic shoes are what I would consider justifiable assumptions when it comes to the elderly. Walkers, canes and orthopedic shoes are common amongst the elderly due to poor circulation, impaired balance, lack of strength, and neuromas; a growth of nervous tissue.
A common accessory that I’ve noticed is the dark sunglasses with over-sized shields. These are quite popular among the older population as many of them face vision impairments like sensitivity to light and cataracts; the clouding that develops in the crystalline lens of the eye. The most reoccurring stereotypes associated with the elderly would have to be that they have an unpleasant odor to them and they are angry, senile individuals. Although I have had some encounters with senior citizens who were less than cordial; for the most part I enjoyed my time with them. They were very talkative and shared past experiences with great detail which many feel that they are incapable of doing. In addition with the time spent them not once did I very get an unpleasant smell that everyone seems to get a whiff off. Whether it is a pain relieving cream or rectal discharge do to the inability to "hold it in" I have yet to experience such a smell.
So as you can see they are quite a few stereotypes many of which that I haven’t even mentioned. And although they may start off with some merit most can only be applied to a small percentage of individuals. So if the question asked is there any truth to these stereotypes. I would say to a certain degree yes there is.
Aging Stereotypes
Stereotypes can be applied to every demographic background; including the elderly. Some common stereotypes associated with the elderly are that they are not sexually active, they are crazy, demented individuals, have an unpleasant odor, and are slow drivers. In addition they walk around with walkers, wear orthopedic shoes, and watch the Price is Right. Furthermore the elderly are always depicted playing bingo or on shuffle boards wearing sunglasses with large shields.
Although some of this stereotypes do have a merit that are not entirely true; as goes the case with all stereotypes. I know many senior citizens who actually drive faster than teenagers. In fact they are much more reckless than their younger counterparts. As far as being sexually active I would assume that they are not as this is an activity that requires a lot of energy and excitement leaving ones health into question. Walkers and orthopedic shoes are what I would consider justifiable assumptions when it comes to the elderly. Walkers, canes and orthopedic shoes are common amongst the elderly due to poor circulation, impaired balance, lack of strength, and neuromas; a growth of nervous tissue.
A common accessory that I’ve noticed is the dark sunglasses with over-sized shields. These are quite popular among the older population as many of them face vision impairments like sensitivity to light and cataracts; the clouding that develops in the crystalline lens of the eye. The most reoccurring stereotypes associated with the elderly would have to be that they have an unpleasant odor to them and they are angry, senile individuals. Although I have had some encounters with senior citizens who were less than cordial; for the most part I enjoyed my time with them. They were very talkative and shared past experiences with great detail which many feel that they are incapable of doing. In addition with the time spent them not once did I very get an unpleasant smell that everyone seems to get a whiff off. Whether it is a pain relieving cream or rectal discharge do to the inability to "hold it in" I have yet to experience such a smell.
So as you can see they are quite a few stereotypes many of which that I haven’t even mentioned. And although they may start off with some merit most can only be applied to a small percentage of individuals. So if the question asked is there any truth to these stereotypes. I would say to a certain degree yes there is.
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