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Tag: elderly people

Signs it’s Time to Hang up the Car Keys for Good

Sooner or later retiring your keys and driver’s license will be the right thing to do to ensure the safety of everyone on the road. For some that time will come sooner rather than later, and determining exactly when that is can be difficult for families and aging individuals to navigate. Below we discuss three major signs that may indicate it’s time for a driver to retire their keys for good.

Declining Vision

Regular trips to the eye doctor for up to date vision tests is the best way to definitively determine if it’s safe to continue driving. Each state has their own laws regarding the age at which seniors must visit the DMV in order to keep their licenses. Most DMV locations also offer convenient vision tests and refresher courses for individuals over a certain age.

Confusion

Regularly getting lost or confused while behind the wheel is a major sign one should no longer be driving, especially if it happens in familiar locations. Regardless if the individual has experienced any other signs of memory loss or early dementia, becoming disoriented while driving should always be taken very seriously.

Property Damage

An increasing number of dents, dings, scratches and scrapes on one’s vehicle may hint at difficulties with night vision, depth perception, or delayed reflexes. Regularly assessing the vehicle for damages can help determine how often these mishaps occur and if they become more frequent.

Final Thoughts

Ensure your aging loved one can always get around comfortably and safely with professional transportation services. Home Instead Senior Care is a nationwide provider of home care and safe transportation services that help keep the rhythm of everyday life in place with rides to the hair salon, grocery store, worship services and other events. Contact us at (402) 205-8492 for more information.

Unpaid Millennial Caregivers are Growing in Number

Millennials in Changing Roles

When you hear the word “millennial,” the image that comes to mind might not be entirely positive. The media often portrays millennials, people born between 1980 and 2000, as being spoiled, lazy, and overly dependent on their parents. However, a new growing statistic might change that image; more and more millennials are taking on the role of an unpaid caregiver for sick and elderly family members. According to the AARP Public Policy Institute, the rate of millennial caregivers is about 1 in 4.

Understanding the Demographic Shift

In the past, most people did not find themselves in caregiving roles until they were in their 40’s or 50’s; however, that’s because prior to the baby boomer generation, people had children at younger ages and lived shorter lives. Many baby boomers, who make up 25% of the population, had children much later in life than their parents, and many of those children are millennials. Baby boomers are now reaching retirement and experiencing higher rates of chronic illnesses. Because many boomers are divorced, they’re relying on their children or grandchildren for care.

The Challenges

Many millennials who are now in their late 20’s and early 30’s are struggling to pay off student debt and are spending their limited funds on caregiving costs. At work, they may often be late or absent, leading to disciplinary action and missing out on opportunities for advancement.

Also, the stress faced by millennial caregivers can cause problems with their own health. While they want to make sure their elderly loved one is comfortable and feel positively about being able to help, they lose the opportunities to socialize and have fun. This adds to emotional and mental strain.

Most do not have any kind of formal caregiving training or skills, such as how to recognize a stroke, which is problematic for the people in their care. Without skilled care, sick and elderly people can suffer from worsening health. There is also frequent guilt about burdening their millennial caregiver.

Conclusion

The number of millennial caregivers will continue to increase as more and more baby boomers become elderly and experience fragile health. One solution available that can make life easier and more enjoyable for both the senior and the family member is in-home care. For example, Home Instead Senior Care provides clients with companionship, personal care, transportation, and help with household duties. If you’re currently struggling with your responsibilities as a caregiver, let Home Instead Senior Care help today.