PATHOLOGICAL FEAR OF AGING DRIVERS
The Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) recorded a record-high 221.7 million licensed drivers in the U.S. population ages, the number of licensed older adults on the road will continue to increase. Now that I am older, I will have to give up driving.Īs the U.S. Learn more about Alzheimer’s genetics and what we know about preventing Alzheimer’s disease. While you cannot control the genes you inherited, you can take steps to stay healthy as you age, such as getting regular exercise, controlling high blood pressure, and not smoking.
Learn about your family health history and talk with your doctor about your concerns.Įnvironmental and lifestyle factors, such as exercise, diet, exposure to pollutants, and smoking also may affect a person’s risk for Alzheimer’s. However, having a parent with Alzheimer’s does not necessarily mean that someone will develop the disease. If a family member has Alzheimer’s disease, I will have it, too.Ī person’s chance of having Alzheimer’s disease may be higher if he or she has a family history of dementia because there are some genes that we know increase risk. Learn more about how exercise and physical activity can improve your health. Finding the cause is important for determining best next steps. These problems can have a range of different causes, some of which are treatable or reversible. Nevertheless, you should talk with a doctor if you have serious concerns about your memory and thinking, or notice changes in your behavior and personality. Occasionally forgetting an appointment or losing your keys are typical signs of mild forgetfulness, which is very common in normal aging. Although the risk of dementia grows as people get older, it is not inevitable, and many people live into their 90s and beyond without the significant declines in thinking and behavior that characterize dementia. It is inevitable that older people will get dementia.ĭementia is not a normal part of aging. Learn more about cognitive health and older adults. Seeking out new social connections with others and engaging in social activities, such as a dance class or book club, can keep your brain active and may also boost your cognitive health. For example, one study found that older adults who learned quilting or digital photography had improved memory. Trying and learning new skills may even improve cognitive abilities. While aging does often come with changes in thinking, many cognitive changes are positive, such as having more knowledge and insight from a lifetime of experiences. Not true! Older adults still have the ability to learn new things, create new memories, and improve their performance in a variety of skills. Learn more about the importance of getting a good night’s sleep. Adequate sleep can also help reduce your risk of falls, improve your overall mental well-being, and have many other benefits. Getting enough sleep keeps you healthy and alert. Older adults need the same amount of sleep as all adults - 7 to 9 hours each night. A common misconception is that a person’s sleep needs decline with age. The older I get, the less sleep I need.Īs people age, they may find themselves having a harder time falling and staying asleep.
Depression is a common and potentially serious mood disorder, but there are treatments that are effective for most people. So, when should you be concerned? It’s important to remember that older adults with depression may have less obvious symptoms or be less likely to discuss their feelings. In fact, studies show that older adults are less likely to experience depression than young adults. However, these feelings are not a normal part of aging as growing older can have many emotional benefits, such as long-lasting relationships with friends and family and a lifetime of memories to share with loved ones. This can lead to feelings of depression, anxiety, and sadness. Depression and loneliness are normal in older adults.Īs people age, some may find themselves feeling isolated and alone. Read on to learn about 10 common misconceptions related to aging and older adults. Research has shown that you can help preserve your health and mobility as you age by adopting or continuing healthy habits and lifestyle choices. But as we are getting older, it is important to understand the positive aspects of aging. Many people make assumptions about aging, what it is like to grow “old”, and how older age will affect them.
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