How to talk to elderly loved ones about unsafe driving

How to talk to elderly loved ones about unsafe driving

As we grow older how we feel about our ability to drive shifts. When you get your driver’s license for the first time you get a new sense of freedom and independence. As an adult the privilege of being behind the wheel is one many of us rely on. Also, as you age more and more your driver’s license becomes a valued symbol of self-sufficiency.

However, aging can come with a number of common physical changes that can make driving increasingly difficult and eventually dangerous.  Stiff joints and weaker muscles can make it harder to turn your head, brake in a safe manner, or turn the steering wheel quickly enough. Reduced quality of eyesight and hearing can become dangerous when it comes to taking in visual and auditory signals on the road. Also, slowed reflexes and side effects from medications can impact your driving ability.

If a loved one of yours is becoming an unsafe driver due to age, having a conversation with them about turning in their keys for good can be a difficult conversation to have. Following some of these tips might help make it smoother:

Avoid confrontational language

When initiating a conversation with an elderly loved one about their ability to drive it can be easy for them to feel like a calling-out of their deteriorating ability to drive is an attack rather than an expression of care and concern.  Make sure to emphasize your concern.  When deciding what you will say and how you will say it, structure your statements referencing yourself more than them.

Focus on safety

After a lifetime of driving to everything they love, feeling a push to give up driving can also feel like a push to give up everything else they love. Make it clear that the focus in getting them to stop driving is on safety, and that they can still continue doing the things they love.

Have alternatives prepared

Offering reliable alternatives instead of driving can make prospects of them giving up driving not as daunting. It’s possible that they may not be aware of what is available to them. Help them find more information if needed to start using alternative modes of transportation or, if possible, help by driving them.

Use specifics and multiple voices

You want your loved one to take this conversation seriously. Avoid sounding like one person nagging. If multiple people have concerns let them come together with you on this to show your elderly loved one that they have a group of people who care about them and are concerned about their safety. Also, when having the conversation voice generalizations less and offer specific examples instead.

Show empathy

This is likely a difficult conversation for your loved one to have or thing for them to hear. Make sure to approach the conversation with an empathetic view of how they may be feeling when facing these prospects. Be supportive, show respect and offer positivity.

If you have been injured, and need legal assistance, call #1000 on your cell phone for free. We will offer you a free claim assessment.

March 23, 2018 ,
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For brain injury victim family members

For brain injury victim family members

6 tips to help ease your way through recovery

Brain injuries don’t just affect those who are injured, they can affect entire families. If a family member of yours has experienced a brain injury chances are it might have placed emotional, social or financial challenges in your path. Every family’s experience is unique but all can experience the same types of changes.

It can be helpful to take some guidance from experts who understand your situation. Thankfully the Ontario Brain Injury Association has created a number of recommendations for family members of those experiencing brain injury. Some of these six tips might work for you:

1. Share responsibility

If you are becoming the main caregiver for the injured person the massive life change that your loved one’s injury can bring to your life can bring a lot of stress as well as personal strain. Know that you are not alone. If your injured loved one is capable of helping you in any way, allow them to help around the home.

While it can be challenging living with someone who has sustained a brain injury, there are support networks around you to help, whether that’s friends, family, support groups, programs or organizations.

2. Ask the nurses

Knowledge is power. While caring for someone who is recovering from a brain injury it’s a good idea to learn as much as you can about their condition. Your loved one might have medical problems specific to their injury. You’ll want to learn all you can about the problems your loved one will be facing and how to properly manage them. Nurses who are caring for your loved one can be a great resource to ask questions that you may not have been able to get in when talking to specialists or doctors and walk you through specifics so you are more prepared for providing care on your own.

3. Consider getting a neurophysical evaluation

A neurophysical evaluation can give you a better understanding of your loved one’s injury, including how their abilities will be affected by the injury. Knowing this can help you in a number of ways. Because a brain injury can have significant affects on your loved one’s cognition and behaviour, this can cause significant changes in their life going forward. It’s important to understand what your loved one is facing. Secondly, knowing what these challenges are can help you moving forward in being able to care for them and look out for their wellbeing. Knowing what specific challenges they face, and what they are capable of doing, can help you predict issues in upcoming situations as well as know what you can expect of them.

4. Join an organization

There are many organizations and groups available to offer you support and resources, like brain injury associations. The information and community they provide can help you to improve your loved one’s quality of life on the recovery journey ahead.

5. Push for what you need

It’s important to be a strong advocate for your loved one. You have the expertise in what they were like before their injury, as well as the knowledge you gain from daily interaction with them. Ask questions, learn about their rights, and be firm when it comes to having their needs met.

6. Consult a lawyer

Talking to an attorney should be an urgent priority. Make sure to talk to a lawyer experienced in representing brain injury victims, especially before signing any paperwork.

An experienced lawyer is valuable to brain injury victims for a few reasons. They can help guide you through your options after the injury and help you find valuable resources for yourself and your loved one. The help of a personal injury lawyer can remove a lot of the stress that comes when a loved one suffers a brain injury.

If you have been injured, and need legal assistance, call #1000 on your cell phone for free. We will offer you a free claim assessment.

February 23, 2018
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Spinal cord injury recovery and nutrition

Spinal cord injury recovery and nutrition

Here's how what you eat affects your health

No matter who you are, what you eat affects your health. Fueling your body with good food ensures that it can function at it’s very best. We often get used to certain types of foods and the quantity of those foods that make us feel our best. But, after a spinal cord injury our life and our body can change, forcing us to adjust our habits.

These changes and adjustments can affect your diet. Spinal Cord Injury Ontario outlined in their Nutrition after SCI Series how bad diets usually follow spinal cord injuries. They mentioned that changes in economic status, transportation, digestion, food preparation challenges and the nutrient values associated with comfort food contribute to the development of poor diets after spinal injury.

But the period after experiencing a spinal injury is a crucial time to give your body what it needs to heal. Nutrition, the fueling of your body with the nutrients in what you choose to eat, has a major affect on your health. Ensuring that you are eating an appropriate diet after your injury can help your body to avoid, or reduce the effects of secondary health complications.

Some health complications that can follow a spinal cord injury are pressure ulcers, pain and inappropriate bladder management, as well as increased risks of developing other medical concerns like diabetes, elevated cholesterol, weight gain and osteoporosis.

Avoiding any possible secondary health complications, or using your diet in order to minimize them or make them easier to deal with can be beneficial for your overall and long-term health—which can make your recovery journey a little easier. The food you consume has a major impact on many of these secondary health complications.

There are many great resources available to help you educate yourself on the effect a spinal injury has on your health and the dietary changes you can make to help alleviate the negative effects. For example, the Spinal Cord Injury Ontario Nutrition after SCI Series (as mentioned before) breaks down nutritional information by secondary health complication, including weight, pressure sores, cardiovascular disease as well as bowel and bladder issues. Also, the University of Washington’s report on Everyday Nutrition for Individuals with Spinal Cord Injury breaks down dietary information after a spinal injury.

Seeking out advice on how your diet should adjust after your injury, including what, when and how much you should be eating, is valuable information that can help you improve your overall health. While there is lots of information available online when it comes to how you should change your diet, getting professional advice can ensure that you are making the right dietary choices in your specific case.

Do your research and speak with your doctor about reaching out to a registered dietitian for guidance. They can ensure that you are on the right track. With the number of changes already in your life that come with a spinal injury changing your diet can be difficult. But even though transforming your diet can be overwhelming, making changes gradually can help you ease into the process and make your diet changes less difficult.

After a spinal injury, your first priority should be your recovery. We can help you focus on your health by taking care of the legal part of your recovery journey.

Fast dial #1000 free from your cell and we’ll get you the support you need.

January 26, 2018
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Car inspection basics: 21 parts you should be checking daily

Car inspection basics: 21 parts you should be checking daily

With the new year here lots of people are working on their resolutions. A lot of people resolve to be better when it comes to their personal health—whether that’s eating healthier or exercising more, etc. But a new resolution that can be helpful for anyone’s health is to become safer.

Road safety is especially important. The safety measures you take on the road affect the health and safety of yourself, those in your vehicle and the public around you.

Being safe on the road starts with you. Also, as with any change in your life, these new resolutions require new habits. Thankfully, Road Safety at Work created a list of a number of things you can check in, on or around your vehicle every day. Many of them help to make sure that your vehicle is safe to drive before you even leave your driveway.

  1. Engine Oil

Checking your engine oil regularly is important to keep your motor properly lubricated. You should check your oil level daily and top up as necessary, checking your owner’s manual to make sure you’re using the right kind of oil.

  1. Tire Air Pressure

Take a walk around your vehicle. Check the air pressure on your tires looking to see that they’re all properly inflated, undamaged and wearing normally. This can keep your car in good condition and also prevent a dangerous surprise down the road.

  1. License Plate

While walking around your vehicle make sure that both your license plates are on, attached firmly and visible.

  1. Leak Check

Look underneath your vehicle to look for evidence of fluid either dripping from, pooling underneath or accumulating on your vehicle. Being mindful to look as you are driving in, or out, of regular parking spots to look for this fluid as well.

  1. In-car ergonomics

When you enter your car adjust your seat, headrest and steering column, if necessary, to be in an ideal driving position.

  1. Headlights

Check and make sure that your headlights are working properly. Turn on your low beams, high beams and fog lights to make sure they are all in good working order.

  1. Tail Lights

Checking your tail lights before you begin driving is important as well.

  1. Turn Signal

Turn on your left and right turn signals, making sure that the lights are working both in the front and back of your vehicle.

  1. Emergency Signal

Turn on your emergency signal and confirm that it is working properly.

  1. Windshield

In addition to checking your windshield for damage like chips and cracks, making sure your windshield is clean is important as well. Keep a clean cloth handy to clean the inside of your windshield.

  1. Wipers

Check your wiper blade controls to make sure they work. Confirm that your wipers are clearing your windshield and replace them when you see them leaving streaks or gaps.

  1. Heater/Defroster

In the winter and during changes in temperature heaters or defrosters play a key role in keeping your windshield clear and un-fogged. Test them before you take off to make sure the fan works well and that the flow direction is effective.

  1. Horn

Toot your horn to make sure it’s working.

  1. Seatbelt

Seatbelts are very important for your personal safety. Check to see that the seatbelt and its mechanisms are working properly.

  1. Rear vision mirrors

Upon entering your car make sure that that the rear vision mirrors are set for optimal rear vision. When they are angled ideally also make sure that they’re all undamaged and clean.

  1. Parking brake

Test your parking brake to make sure it is still functioning properly.

  1. Brakes

While leaving your garage and before entering traffic gently tap the brakes to confirm that they are working effectively.

  1. Instrument Panel – Gauges / Warning Lights

Looking at your instrument panel confirm that all the gauges indicate everything is in working order for a safe drive and that there are no warning lights on.

  1. Vehicle Documentation

Before leaving in your vehicle make sure you have the proper documents with you. Check for your driver’s license and make sure there is a copy of the vehicle registration on board.

  1. Engine Noises

Noises coming from your vehicle can indicate that something is wrong. While your engine is running listen for any unusual sounds.

  1. Roadside Emergency / First Aid Kit

A roadside emergency and first aid kit are very important for your health and safety on the road. Make sure that you’re prepared and that all the essentials are in both.

If you have been injured, and need legal assistance, call #1000 on your cell phone for free. We will offer you a free claim assessment.

January 12, 2018 ,
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How to practice self-care as a caregiver

How to practice self-care as a caregiver

5 simple steps to take back your well-being

When you become a caregiver, often it’s your own needs that quickly take a backseat in order to put those you care about first. However, taking care of your own well-being is essential to be able to continue caring for those who rely on you, and as we practice self-care the person you care for benefits as well.

Taking small steps to maintain your well-being is essential. Here are some simple steps from the Family Caregiver Alliance you can take as a caregiver to help keep you burning bright instead of burning out.

1. Reduce stress

Stress stems from many different avenues, and it’s important to be cognizant of stress in your life, the forms it takes in your actions, where it comes from and what part of those stressors you can change. Next, explore de-stressing activities until you find one that works for you. Meditation, taking a walk, regular exercise or chatting with friends are all things you can try.

2. Take care of your physical health

You’re so focused on others’ physical health it can be easy to forget your own. Give your body the fuel it needs by making a full night’s sleep and eating nutritious food a daily priority. Incorporating exercise into your routine is important as well, even if for just 10 minutes a day. In addition to daily actions to take care of your personal health taking time to see a physician when you need to is crucial. Make your appointments at convenient times and go prepared with all your questions.

3. Seek and accept support

Knowing when you need help is a sign of strength. When it comes to needing support with your caregiving, break down things you need help with into simple tasks so it’s clear and easy for others to understand how to help you, or what you’re asking for. For example, you’re overwhelmed and cooking takes up a lot of your time. You could ask a friend who offered assistance to help you with preparing meals once a week. Seeking emotional support is also important as well. There is no shame in reaching out to friends, counselors or support groups when you need someone to talk to.

4. Be cognizant of your feelings/mind set

Since caregiving can be a very emotional it’s important to recognize what you are feeling. You are allowed to have a range of emotions about your life as a caregiver. Recognize what they are and if they become overwhelming or intense seek support and reduce stress. Changing your mindset can have a huge impact on your emotions. If you have an overly negative view of your situation try to change it.

5. Set goals

Starting a journey of self-care is a positive change but a life change nonetheless. Whether you are starting from the very beginning, or you want to improve your existing self-care, the change you seek to make in your life can fall away from your attention if you don’t keep yourself accountable. Setting goals and sticking to them is a great way to do this. Break down your goals into smaller achievable ones that will help you get there.

If you have been injured, and need legal assistance, call #1000 on your cell phone for free. We will offer you a free claim assessment.

September 22, 2017
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What is Your Circle of Care?

What is Your Circle of Care?

Your world can be turned upside down in the wake of an accident. The aftermath can cause physical, mental, emotional and financial stress on you and your family that can be very overwhelming.

Navigating the path to recovery can be difficult, so it’s important to reach out to your circle of care, or people that are able to help you with the services you need to get there. Each member of the team plays an important role to get you on your way to recovery – here is a list of the top eight that you should have documented and prepared.

1. Police and EMS

Police

When involved in a serious accident where property is damaged or you are injured (like a traffic accident) it’s crucial to immediately report the accident to police. In addition to tickets they may issue, their reports are detailed and contain valuable information about the details of the accident and the at-fault party. These are important documents if you later need to build a case while seeking the personal or property damages you need

Emergency Medical Services (EMS)

The first responders to your serious injury are usually EMS. They play a key role in providing care to you as soon as possible and are the first step towards your physical care and recovery. They also write detailed reports about your injuries and the medical care provided to you by them, which are useful while building a case for the compensation you need.

2. Social Workers

If you’re seriously injured, those close to you and your caregivers can be affected immensely. Social workers can be a great support to your family or caregivers to help solve problems and cope with the changes that the accident has brought into your life, and the lives of those around you.

3. Insurance

Insurance companies play an important role in your access to the personal or property damages you deserve. While seeking personal or property damages, you will usually be dealing with the insurance company to get the money you deserve.

4. Psychologists and Family Counselors

Personal injury doesn’t only cause physical distress—it can cause mental and emotional stress as well. And it cannot only affect you but those very close to you as well. Reaching out to psychologists and family counselors when needed to help cope and deal with the stress and emotions involved with a personal injury is important for well-being and a smoother road to recovery.

5. Doctors

Doctors provide assessment, treatment and examinations throughout the personal injury recovery journey. It’s important to see a doctor early and let them know about even the smallest injuries or mental stress associated with the accident – follow their instructions for care and go to any necessary follow-up appointments. When interacting with doctors for examinations it’s important to give proper backstories while being very descriptive and showing that the injury you’re experiencing has changed over time and why. Doctors provide many pieces of documentation used during and after your recovery that is important for building your case for the personal damages you need.

6. Registered Nurses

Being in the hospital due to a personal injury can make nurses a key role in the journey to recovery from injury. They provide essential treatment of your injury in addition to education about it.

7. Rehab and Physiotherapy

Accidents can cause a range of personal injuries, some of which physiotherapy or physical rehabilitation provide fantastic treatments for. Physiotherapists can also help with the recovery journey by providing education about the injury and helping enable management of it and it’s symptoms.

8. Personal Injury Lawyers

Personal injury lawyers are there to protect you. They represent you and work hard to get you what you deserve in your journey to recovery.

Dye and Russell works hard to protect your rights and get you the best possible outcome on your claim. We are a dedicated part of your circle of care that makes sure everyone is committed to helping you recover and supporting you every step of the way.

If you have been injured, and need legal assistance, call #1000 on your cell phone for free. We will offer you a free claim assessment.

August 18, 2017
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