Interestingly enough, older drivers are relatively safe drivers in that they use their seat belts and receive few citations for speeding or reckless driving or driving under the influence.  Actually, the number of accidents involving older drivers decreases as age increases.  This can be partially attributed to the fact that many older drivers avoid driving in rush-hour traffic and driving at night or during bad weather. Generally, they drive significantly fewer miles than younger drivers.

There are factors, however, like taking prescription drugs, existing medical conditions, reduced reaction time and overall physical decline that increase the risk of being involved in a collision, particularly after the age of 75.  Fatalities increase to some slight degree after the age of 65 and considerably after 75.  The rate boost is predominantly due to the increased failure to survive physical trauma that commonly occurs with age.

There are some guidelines that can help older drivers drive more safely.  They need to know the side effects of any medications that they are taking and if they might reduce their ability to react when behind the wheel.  Nighttime driving should be reduced, especially because of the glare presented by headlights on approaching vehicles.  A helpful tip is to not look directly at the oncoming headlights but rather look down the road and to the right side of the lane that is being driven in.  Vision should be checked regularly to make sure that vision loss does not impair driving safely.  Cataracts, a common occurrence of aging, should be carefully monitored.  To minimize the impact of visual limitations, it is best for elder drivers to drive in familiar locations and to avoid night driving, particularly in inclement weather.

Even though it is a difficult choice, most seniors decide for themselves when it is time to stop driving.  If this is not the case and you are a caregiver for an elder, then you may have to step in and make an assessment of your elder’s driving ability.  If you make the decision that it is time for them to stop driving, the downside may be that your responsibilities to your elder increase substantially.  You may become the proverbial “taxi,” and find that your already demanding schedule becomes busier yet.  This is when Barton Home Care may be able to help you.  Let us take your elder to appointments, to shop for groceries and other necessities, or out to visit friends and relatives.

Gerri Tyber, Operations Manager
Barton Home Care

The following was written by Ed, for whose mother we have been providing in home senior care, Denver metro area, since August 2007. It’s comments like these that keep us charging ahead. Thanks Ed for taking the time.

“My mother has multiple sclerosis and requires extra help with some of her day-to-day activities. My sister and I do what we can to help Mom, but our work and home lives preclude us from doing as much as we’d like. Thus, it’s been important to have a trusted home care professional in the house with Mom. This is where Tom Barton and Barton Home Care come in.

At first, we had no idea what to look for in a home care agency. We initially hired another company based on the recommendation of one of Mom’s hospital case workers. Unfortunately, that company had a “scheduling conflict” and stranded Mom without the care she needed on her first day home from a long hospitalization. We asked the case worker for a second recommendation, and she gave us Tom Barton’s name. Tom immediately impressed me with his professionalism and his genuine concern for Mom’s well-being. We’ve been with Barton ever since. (I later called that case worker again, and told her that Barton was the company she should have recommended first!)

Tom prides himself on hiring only the best and the brightest home care workers. In the last two years, Mom has had only two main caregivers (not counting the rare vacation fill-in). The first caregiver was replaced only because she moved on to further her career. Tom obviously understands what others don’t seem to: Continuity of care is crucial to the comfort and trust of his clients. He obviously goes out of his way to ensure that his people are in this field because they want to be.

I think it’s fair to say that Barton is the main factor that has allowed Mom to stay in her own house, and at least delay the need for an assisted living facility. This has tremendous financial AND emotional value. Barton has relieved a lot of stress for my sister and me. More importantly, Mom not only has a caregiver that helps her maintain her household and personal needs, but a valued companion and friend as well. This means a lot to our entire family.

Based on all of this, I am happy to recommend Tom Barton and Barton Home Care. They care, and it shows.”

If you or someone you know is considering in home senior care, Denver metro area, please consider Barton Home Care.  You can contact Tom Barton directly at 303.660.5120 or info@bartonhomecare.com. He’ll be happy to answer  all of your questions and share his “Caring to Make a Difference” home care philosophy.

For more information on choosing the best Senior Care - Colorado, please check out our post: Senior Care Colorado - The Benefits of Professional Caregiving.

Yes, it’s fairly miserable out there. Everyday we all hear more negative economic news. No one seems to know how this will play out. The good news is that this is the USA and I do believe we’ll all make it through these very tough times — we just don’t know when.

With jobs being lost daily, it’s a fact that most Americans are holding back on their spending. And that’s a good thing to a degree. Unfortunately, the immediate impact is to exacerbate the already plunging economy. But the uncertainty in everyone’s mind will continue for awhile, so we’re going to have to get used to the bumpy road ahead.

So what does this mean if you have an elder in your life who is requiring more and more of your attention and care? I think many people are “stepping up to the plate” and attempting to save money by helping their elder-in-need themselves. The problem becomes … are you really saving money or is it truly costing you more when you add up your time commitment, the stress involved, and perhaps the lost time from your family and job?

Of all the things to consider “investing” in, the care for your elder loved one may be and should be a priority. It’s hard to put a price on the peace of mind one gets from knowing that there is someone providing top notch care to their loved one while they can continue to attend to their life, family and business.

We, at Barton Home Care, continue to play a major part in families needing elder care at home. All of our clients appreciate the fact that their elder is receiving the same quality care that they themselves would provide. The difference is they still remain the “son or daughter” as opposed to the “caregiver.” That means they can continue with their life and when they do get to see their elder — it’s quality time. Hard to put a price on that notion.

If you or someone you know is considering home health care, Colorado or the Denver metro area, please consider Barton Home Care.  You can contact Tom Barton directly at 303.660.5120 or info@bartonhomecare.com. He’ll be happy to answer  all of your questions and share his “Caring to Make a Difference” home care philosophy.

Tom Barton

Owner, Barton Home Care