Don’t count on physicians to keep drivers with dementia off the roads, a new study cautions. In-person license renewal and driver vision testing laws are more effective than mandatory doctor reporting of patients with dementia, researchers found. “The results of our study point to age-based licensing requirements as an effective way to improve safety,” said… read on >
Winter can be harsh on your skin, especially your hands and face. Try these fast, easy and inexpensive steps to avoid the chapping and flaking that comes with the season. Resist taking hot showers and long soaks, both of which remove your skin’s natural oil barrier, causing it to dry out more easily, suggests the… read on >
Seniors are at heightened risk of hypothermia, the medical term for low body temperature. Older adults lose body heat faster than when they were younger, the U.S. National Institute on Aging says. Hypothermia occurs when a person’s body temperature drops to 95 degrees Fahrenheit or lower. Typical warning signs include slowed or slurred speech, sleepiness… read on >
Many workplace vehicles have backup alarms, but the alarms don’t prevent backover accidents altogether. The U.S. Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) suggests how to help prevent backover accidents: Ensure that trained spotters use hand signals to alert drivers about when it’s safe to proceed. Drivers should remain in visual contact with spotters while backing… read on >
Severe weather, an earthquake, a fire or flood all present unique challenges for people with Alzheimer’s disease. Their impaired memory and reasoning severely limits their ability to act appropriately during a crisis, the National Institute on Aging says. If you are preparing an emergency kit for someone who has Alzheimer’s, the agency suggests including: Incontinenceundergarments,… read on >
Older adults are at increased risk for hypothermia, a dangerous drop in body temperature, the U.S. National Institute on Aging warns. This can be due to chronic health conditions or the use of certain medicines, including over-the-counter cold remedies. Hypothermia occurs when your core body temperature drops to 95 degrees Fahrenheit or lower. Warning signs… read on >
Winter storms are a fact of life in many cold climates. And if conditions are bad enough, the safest place is probably your home. The National Weather Service suggests what to do if you’re stuck inside: If using a fireplace or wood stove, make sure these devices are properly vented. If you have a gas… read on >
Holding your nose and closing your mouth when you feel a sneeze coming on just might lead to serious trouble. The journal BMJ Case Reports includes the story of a 34-year-old man who ruptured his throat after he pinched his nose and clamped his mouth shut in order to ward off a sneeze. He suffered… read on >
Anti-lock brakes are designed to restore traction to your vehicle’s tires during icy or slick road conditions. They’re meant to help prevent wheels from locking up, but they won’t shorten stopping distance, the University of Iowa says. While anti-lock brakes are deployed, the brake pedal typically will vibrate or push back. That’s completely normal. You… read on >
Whether you’re training for a marathon or just logging miles, cold-weather running requires some special health and safety precautions, according to a sports medicine expert. That said, it also gives you a chance to get ahead of the competition because people often don’t train once serious cold sets in, Dr. Joshua Blomgren said in a… read on >
