Elderlink, Inc., Nursing Home Information & Referral, Santa Monica, CA
Licensed by California Department of Public Health
Certified by Department of Social Services
1-800-613-5772 24 Hour Helpline
Menu

TOO OLD TO DRIVE?

According to the U.S. Department of Transportation National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), “older drivers (defined as people 65 years and older) represent a significant and increasing proportion of American drivers.” While 32.2 million licensed drivers were at least 65 years old in the United States in 2008, it is estimated that there will be approximately 40 million drivers 65 and older by 2020, suggesting that as many as a quarter of all drivers will be over 65 by 2025!

Most states do not currently have an upper age limit for maintaining a driver’s license, including California. However, a rapidly aging population as well as several national reports of serious and sometimes, fatal, injuries caused by accidents involving older drivers, calls into question just how old is too old to drive.
Continue reading TOO OLD TO DRIVE?

THE ELDERLY & THE FLU

Punxsutawney Phil may have predicted an early spring but as of January 26, 2013, “forty-two states reported widespread geographic influenza activity” and “of all hospitalizations, more than 50% were among adults 65 years and older,” according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

Although most people recover from the flu without treatment in approximately one week, if you are 65 or older, especially if you have underlying health problems, such as lung or heart disease, you might be at higher risk of developing complications from the influenza virus that require hospitalization.
Continue reading THE ELDERLY & THE FLU

ARE YOU LEGALLY REQUIRED TO VISIT YOUR ELDERLY PARENTS?

If you live in China, you will be. Chinese national legislature regarding the elderly was amended late in December 2012, requiring adult children visit their aged parents “often.” While “the amendment does not specify how frequently such visits should occur,” according to the Associated Press, “the new clause will allow elderly parents who feel neglected by their children to take them to court.”

In a country where the elderly were once revered, the fact that China passed this legislature illustrates an alarming shift in cultural and financial priorities. Like many other countries, China has a growing population of aging adults along with a smaller population of young adults. Combine those factors with an increased life expectancy and economic concerns, and the result is a lack of available resources for elder care.
Continue reading ARE YOU LEGALLY REQUIRED TO VISIT YOUR ELDERLY PARENTS?

CREATE HOLIDAY MEMORIES THAT LAST

With the advent of smartphones and hand-held tablet computers, taking photos and videos is easier than ever before. Infants and children seemingly have every moment of their lives recorded and posted on social media channels these days but there may be very few photos of older generations. The holidays are a perfect time to capture all of your family members to create lasting memories, so don’t let this opportunity pass you by. Even a few quick snaps are better than nothing but with just a little bit of planning, you can capture some memorable images.

In The New York Times article, How to Shoot a Photo to Remember, author Susan Seliger offers 15 tips specifically for photographing senior citizens, including “help your loved one get dressed for the occasion,” “bring in friends or other family members to engage with the person,” “get close” and “know when to eliminate or include the background.”
Continue reading CREATE HOLIDAY MEMORIES THAT LAST

TECHNOLOGY GIFT IDEAS FOR SENIOR CITIZENS – PART II

It’s that time of year again and finding the perfect gift for everyone on your list may seem like an insurmountable challenge. We know how hard it is to find something that will be useful, affordable and just the thing someone never knew they needed! In Part I of this blog post, we reviewed smartphones, tablets and a device that can receive text messages without requiring a computer or cell phone. We continue our list with some of the most popular technology gifts for seniors.

E-Readers – Remember the days when a quiet evening at home usually meant curling up with a good book? No? Chances are an older generation remembers those times fondly. Unfortunately, aging adults may have trouble getting to bookstores or libraries as often as they used to, they may be homebound or living in a smaller residence, without much space to store numerous books. One solution might be to give your elderly loved one an e-reader this year. Without all the bells and whistles of tablet computers and larger than smartphones, Amazon and Barnes & Noble offer several varieties of Kindles and Nooks. The New York Times recently compared these popular e-readers, offering helpful insight to help you make your purchasing decision. For side-by-side comparisons of the top e-readers on the market, check out Top Ten Reviews.
Continue reading TECHNOLOGY GIFT IDEAS FOR SENIOR CITIZENS – PART II