Driving issue keeps seniors mobile and safe
Jacob Mendelson aged 82 and Doris Jackson aged 81 illustrate the dilemma as aging Americans confront mobility versus safety. Researchers plan a pilot driver screening test while experts urge self regulation and public discussions to balance independence with risk, noting 70 plus drivers already number 24 million nationwide and steadily rise.
Seniors Stay Behind the Wheel in Aging Society
Self-regulation among older drivers remains strong as aging affects vision hearing and confidence. Studies show many curb night travel and stick to familiar routes, with women often giving up driving earlier. Some advocate keeping seniors driving longer to preserve quality of life while others warn of risks from dementia and diminished insight. Deborah Perkins, a Richmond geriatric nurse practitioner, notes cases where families struggle to restrict licenses.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Loren Staplin
United Nations
U.S
John W. Eberhard
Eberhard
Department of Transportation
Noe
Deborah Perkins
Richmond
Perkins
Safe driving tips for seniors
Plan trips with familiar routes and avoid rush hour. Allow extra following distance and avoid driving under stress. At unsignaled intersections, avoid left turns by going around the block with three rights. Minimize background noise and check how medications affect driving. Limit night driving and let eyes adjust. Be alert to signs of slipping skills and seek help if others honk or you get lost.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
American Association of Retired Persons
The
Automobile Association of America
Washington Post
Family wedding cactus palm keeps growing through generations
Ralph Barber and Ada Decker wed in Bellevue on Valentine’s Day 1907. He worked as a Zehner Meat Packing salesman and co owned Bee candy store. A Christmas cactus from Ada’s sister flourished through moves to Elyria and later into Doris Jane Tenry’s care, surviving across decades and becoming a 91 year old living heirloom.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Ralph Barber
Ada Decker
Bellevue
Friedly Avenue
Zehner Meat Packing Company
Busy Bee
Ada
Dora Decker Leiber
Barbers
Elyria
Doris Jane
Middle Avenue
14Th Street
Middle
West Avenues
Bauer Dairy
Depot Photo Loaned by Bob Tarry of Elyria
Correction notes that the picture of the old railroad depot in last week’s column was loaned by Bob Tarry of Elyria.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Bob Tarry
Elyria
Also Mentioned on This Page
Jacob Mendelson
Old Dominion Boat Club
Alexandria
Doris Jackson
Washington
Mendelson
Jackson
America
Joseph Coughlin
Center For Transportation Studies
Massachusetts Institute of Technology
Salisbury
United States
National Highway Traffic Safety Administration
Susan Ferguson
Insurance Institute For Highway Safety
Washington Plus
Hilda Popowsky
Gaithersburg
Judy Feigin
Popowsky
Virginia
AARP
Gene Hastings
Marottoli
Yale University School of Medicine
Joe
Lynda Lakacy Snyder
Telegraph Road
Lynda
Nye
Washington Avenue
Ruby McClure Nye
Colonado Apartments
Levi Morse
David Nye
Horace Nye
Steve Manheim
Chronicle
Doris Tonry
Lynda Snyder
Ibal These