Senior Issues Vol. 3, No. 4
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SENIOR ISSUES NEWSLETTER
Vol. 3, No. 4
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"Senior Issues" is written by the following Penn State Cooperative Extension
agents who comprise the Northwest Pennsylvania Aging Cluster Team: Janice
Alberico (Lawrence County), Nancy Covert (Jefferson County), Holly Hedstrom
(Erie County), and Janet McDougall (Mercer County).
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SAFETY TIPS FOR SENIORS
General Safety Tips
* Don't display large amounts of cash in public.
Use direct deposit to your bank for pension or social security
checks.
* Travel in groups. If alone, don't advertise it.
* Work out a "buddy" system with a friend to check on each other at
least once a day.
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PRACTICE STREET SMARTS
* Avoid dark deserted or isolated routes.
* Don't walk near walls, high bushes or between cars.
* Project an image of self confi-dence when you are walking.
* Cross the street to avoid people who make you feel uncomfortable.
* Know how to get where you're going ahead of time.
* Keep your money in several pockets.
* If someone demands your money, give it up.
* Never accept a ride from someone you do not know well.
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TIPS FOR SENIORS AT HOME
* Never let a stranger into your home. Always examine identification
badges before you allow a service person to enter your home.
* Lock your home when you are there and when you are away. Keep first
floor windows locked.
* Don't let people on the phone know you are alone.
* Keep your phone by your bed at night.
* Post emergency phone numbers close to the phone.
* difficulty in changing focus for near and far objects;
* need for additional light to see clearly;
* Leave a light on when you are out. Rotate which light is left on.
* Leave a porch light on.
* Know your neighbors and make sure they know you.
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APARTMENT DWELLERS
* Know where you can get help in a hurry.
* Make sure halls have good lighting.
* Use laundry room in apartment building when other tenants are
present.
* Look in the elevator before getting in to be sure no one is hiding.
Get off if someone suspicious enters.
* If you are worried about someone who is waiting for the elevator with
you, pretend you forgot something and don't get on.
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TIPS FOR SENIORS USING TRANSPORTATION
* Use well-lighted bus stops.
* Sit near the bus driver.
* Sit on the aisle; don't get blocked in at a window.
* Don't get off the bus with someone who makes you feel uncomfortable.
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IN YOUR CAR
* Never pick up hitch hikers.
* Keep your car doors locked at all times. Lock the doors immediately
upon entering your car.
* Check the back seat before entering your car.
* As you are approaching your car look under it to be sure no one is
hiding there.
* Park in well-lighted areas that will still be well-lighted when you
return.
* Keep your car in good running condition to avoid breakdowns.
* Stay in the car if a breakdown occurs. Wait for the police or other
identified assistance. Do not open your door or window for anyone
else.
* Keep your purse or valuables out of sight.
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VISION AND DRIVING
As we age there are some normal changes in our eyes. It is common for people
who experience these changes to become concerned about their independence and
mobility, particularly their continued ability to drive a car.
While it is unlikely that most older adults will need to give up their cars,
it is essential to have a thorough eye exam at least yearly by a qualified
optometrist or ophthalmologist, as vision problems do increase with age.
As you grow older, one or more of the following vision changes could occur and
affect your driving:
* greater susceptibility to glare from sun and headlights;
* slower reaction time; and
* less ability to see to the side when looking ahead.
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DRIVING TIPS
* Wear proper glasses for day and night driving. Use good quality
sunglasses in sunlight; do not wear tinted lenses or sunglasses at
night.
* Avoid glasses with wide temple pieces (they impair side vision).
* Keep your glasses clean.
* Watch ahead, beside and behind you as you drive. Use the rear view
mirror frequently.
* Drive at the approximate speed of the traffic around you.
* Drive a car with a clear windshield. Tinted windshields can reduce
the amount of light entering the eye. A clear windshield and the use
of good sunglasses in sunlight is preferable.
* Keep headlights adjusted and keep headlights, taillights and
windshield (inside and outside) clean.
* Always fasten safety belts and shoulder straps.
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DRUGS AND DRIVING
Know the side effects of any drug you take before getting behind the wheel.
The following drugs can affect your vision when driving: non-prescription
cold and sinus remedies; sleeping pills; tranquilizers; sedatives; pain
killers; some prescription drugs; and even extensive use of aspirin.
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SUMMERTIME IS GRILL TIME
It's barbecue season. That means it's time to get out the charcoal or fire up
the gas grill, say good-bye to your hot kitchen and enjoy food cooked outside
on your patio, in the park or at your favorite campsite.
If your grilled-food menu is limited to franks and burgers, it's time to
stretch your wings. All types of meats, fish and fowl can be cooked on a
grill, as well as many fruits and vegetables.
Use these simple guidelines for a safe outdoor meal, whether it's marinated
shishkabobs, barbecued chicken or your favorite grilled franks.
* Select meats for grilling that are low in fat, trim off excess fat
before cooking. Research shows the higher the level of fat in meats
the greater the production of carcinogens during charcoal broiling.
* Keep meat, poultry, salads and other perishables refrigerated or in
an insulated cooler with an ice source until ready to grill.
* Marinate meats in a glass dish in the refrigerator, not on the
counter. Reserve a portion that hasn't come in contact with the raw
meat as a dip or basting sauce. Don't re-use the marinade used on
raw meat unless it's been boiled.
* Precooking can save time at the grill site and reduce charring.
However, for safety's sake, make sure foods go directly from the
microwave or oven to the grill. Foods also may be com-pletely
cooked, then quickly cooled for reheating on the grill later.
* Take outside only the quantity of food you will cook and eat. Foods
should not sit in warm temperatures for more than two hours. When
it's over 85{F, the time limit should be an hour or less.
* For safety and quality, the coals should be very hot before cooking
food. Coals should show a light coat-ing of ash for optimal heat.
Cook meat until done, but not charred.
* Discourage flare-ups, since burning juice or fat can produce harmful
smoke. If smoke from dripping fat is too heavy, move the food to
another section of the grill, rotate the grill or reduce the heat.
If you have a gas or electric grill, lower the temperature setting.
For conventional grills, use a squirt bottle of water to dampen the
coals.
* When possible, use a drip pan to catch dripping fat. Metal drip pans
are available where outdoor cooking equipment is sold or you can make
your own from heavy-duty aluminum foil. Make sure the drip pan does
not rest on burning coals. With gas or electric grills, follow the
manufacturer's instructions on the use and placement of drip pans.
* Serve food from the grill on a clean platter, not one that had raw,
possibly contaminated juices on it.
* After grilling, serve immediately to keep hot foods hot.
* Clean the grill after each use.
* Refrigerate any leftovers promptly. If this is not possible and the
perishable foods will sit at warm temperatures longer than two hours,
the safest motto is, "when in doubt, throw it out".
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Penn State encourages persons with disabilities to participate in its programs
and activities. If you anticipate needing any type of accommodation or have
questions about the physical access provided, please contact the extension
office in advance of your participation or visit.
This publication is available in alternative media on request.
The Pennsylvania State University is committed to the policy that all persons
shall have equal access to programs, facilities, admission and employment
without regard to personal characteristics not related to ability, performance
or qualifications as determined by University policy or by state or federal
authorities. The Pennsylvania State University does not discriminate against
any person because of age, ancestry, color, disability or handicap, national
origin, race, religious creed, sex, sexual orientation or veteran status.
Direct all inquiries regarding the nondiscrimination policy to the Affirmative
Action Director, The Pennsylvania State University, 201 Willard Bldg.,
University Park, PA 16802-2801; (814)863-0471 VOICE; (814)865-3175 TDD.
Where trade names are used, no discrimination is intended and no endorsement
by the Cooperative Extension Service is implied.
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Dr. Dan Lago, Ph.D., Penn State Extension Aging Specialist
Penn State College of Agricultural Sciences
323 Ag Administration Building, University Park, PA 16802
(814) 863-7871
Internet Address: djl@psu.edu