I found a great link at: http://www.bignewsnetwork.com/?rss=e390506bcb297536 that is interesting and applicable to my therapy students. It links articles on the aged from all over the world. I found an interesting article that stated that researchers found that they could isolate and use functional stem cells from older cardiac or diabetic patients that could be potentially used to successfully rescue an impaired heart at: http://feeds.bignewsnetwork.com/?sid=708842 I found it refreshing to hear that someone is actually researching older stem cells vs only wanting to research those from fetuses and having success with it.
I also found two articles regarding older drivers. This has a significant impact to occupational therapists since they can test for deficits in this area and treat patients to improve their skills. The first article at: http://newoldage.blogs.nytimes.com/2010/11/17/unexpected-findings-on-elderly-drivers/?partner=rss&emc=rss noted that older women tend to give up driving earlier than men, but that they tend to live longer. Noting that by giving up their driving privileges, it may limit and reduce their mobility and thereby decrease their ability to maintain functioning. The article also noted that older drivers today are having less accidents than they used to and may be able to drive longer than their families might be willing to let them. The second article on driving I found at: http://www.nrtoday.com/ARTICLE/20101120/NEWS/101119737/-1/RSS noted that there is a growing number of older drivers. This growing number will require better roads and potentially smarter cars to help keep them on the road longer. What the article didn't note, but that I readily acknowledged, it will require more occupational therapists to address this area and potentially specialize in it. There are already driving simulators available through therapy that test some one's reflexes and response time. The simulator reminds me of going to an arcade and sitting down at a driving game only after driving it prints out an analysis of the driver's performance. A therapist can analyze the data and determine what skills need to be addressed in therapy to improve the driver's safety and performance to help them keep their independence. I have encouraged older driver's (as well as their families) to access this type of therapy to decrease arguments and allow an 'expert' to determine whether or not the elderly driving should continue to drive or not.
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