Older Driver Safety Awareness

People who live in California know that driving is essential to getting around and to be able to contribute or participate in the community in any way. Unfortunately, as you grow older, physical limitations can make it more difficult to drive.

Spreading awareness about the challenges older people face when driving is crucial to finding solutions to help them stay safe and mobile. It’s one of the reasons Older Driver Safety Awareness Week was established by the American Occupational Therapy Association (AOTA).

Driving Technology That Improves Older Driver Safety

Older drivers often have issues with reaction time, vision, hearing, and flexibility, all of which can affect their ability to drive safely. To help address these issues, new technologies are being developed to help older drivers stay safe. Recent technologies that can help older drives include:

  • Emergency response systems. If a driver gets into an auto accident or has a medical emergency, an emergency response system can help alert emergency services, family, or friends.
  • Blind spot warning systems. Blind spot warning systems can alert drivers when there is another vehicle in their blind spot, helping them to avoid collisions.
  • Lane departure warning systems. These systems can alert drivers when they are drifting out of their lane, helping them to stay on the right track.
  • Reverse monitoring systems. Reverse monitoring systems help drivers avoid collisions when backing up by alerting them to any obstacles or people behind their vehicle.
  • Crash mitigation systems. Crash mitigation systems can detect if a driver is about to get into an accident and take corrective action, such as applying brakes or adjusting the steering wheel, to avoid a collision.
  • Smart headlights. Smart headlights can detect oncoming traffic, pedestrians, and street signs, making it easier for drivers to see in the dark.

Older driver safety is important, and these technologies are just a few of the ways to help keep them safe behind the wheel. By spreading awareness about older driver safety, we can help keep our loved ones safe and mobile. For more safety awareness information, be sure to visit us at The Benefits Store today.

Choosing Safe Toys: 7 Tips

If you’re buying gifts for any children this holiday season, it’s crucial that you choose safe toys. According to the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), roughly 198,000 injuries related to unsafe toys were treated in U.S. hospitals in 2020. Certain toys can cause all types of injuries, from cuts and bruises to more serious injuries, such as choking.

There are a lot of toys out there that can be unsafe for children, so it’s important to take the time and make sure you are choosing safe toys.

Tips for Choosing Safe Toys

The last thing you want to do is buy a toy for a child that poses a safety risk. As such, if you plan to buy any toys this holiday season, be sure to follow these tips:

  1. Check the age range. Be sure to look at the recommended age range listed on the package before you make a purchase. 
  2. Read reviews. Read online reviews from others who have purchased the toy. This can help you identify any potential safety issues.
  3. Look for labels. Look for the ASTM (American Society for Testing and Materials) label. This label indicates that the toy has been tested and meets the safety guidelines set by the CPSC.
  4. Avoid small loose parts. Small pieces, such as eyes on stuffed animals and removable parts, can be choking hazards for small children.
  5. Avoid toxic materials. Many toys are made of plastic and other materials that can contain toxins. Read the packaging for any warnings about chemicals.
  6. Make sure the toy isn’t flammable. Some toys, such as stuffed animals and dolls, can be made with flammable materials. Check the label to make sure it’s flame-retardant.
  7. Check recall lists. Check sites such as the CPSC and SaferProducts.gov to make sure the toy hasn’t been recalled due to a safety issue.

Following these tips will help with choosing safe toys for the children in your life this holiday season. Always use caution when selecting toys for children and always supervise them when playing with new toys. For more safety awareness information, visit us at The Benefits Store today.

Avoiding the Flu Over the Holidays

The end of the year is typically when families come together to celebrate the holidays. Unfortunately, this time can also lead to an increased risk of catching the flu. The flu is more prevalent in winter because people are indoors more often, allowing the virus to spread more easily. Additionally, colder, dryer air also encourages the spread of the flu.

One of the best ways to avoid the flu is by getting the flu vaccination. To help promote awareness of the flu shot, December 5-9 was named National Influenza Vaccination Week.

Tips for Avoiding the Flu

Avoiding the flu isn’t difficult as long as you take the right precautions. Getting the flu vaccination is arguably the best way to protect against the flu. Each year, a new vaccine is developed to protect against the most prevalent strains of the flu. However, there are other precautions that you should take as well to avoid the flu. The following are some tips to help you stay healthy during the holidays.

  • Wash your hands frequently, especially after touching commonly used surfaces.
  • Disinfect commonly used surfaces in your home, such as doorknobs and countertops.
  • Avoid close contact with people who may have the flu.
  • Exercise regularly. Doing so will help boost your immune system.
  • Eat healthily. Like exercise, a healthy diet can help to strengthen your immune system.
  • Reduce your stress levels. Stress can weaken your immune system, making you more prone to getting sick. Because the holidays can be a stressful time of the year, take extra care to manage your stress levels.

Avoid Getting Sick This Holiday Season

Avoiding the flu during the holidays is important since you’ll want to enjoy your time with friends and family without getting sick, and you won’t want to get anyone else sick. As such, you should do everything possible to avoid getting the flu, whether staying in California or traveling elsewhere. Use these tips to avoid getting the flu during the holidays, and be sure to visit us at The Benefits Store for more health advice and information today.

Caregiver Tips: 5 Ways to Lower Stress

Caregiver Tips

Caregivers are those who provide care for another person, often a family member, friend, or loved one who is ill, disabled, or otherwise in need of assistance. What a lot of people don’t realize is that the majority of caregivers are unpaid. In 2020, it was estimated that around 53 million people in the U.S. were providing unpaid care to someone in their family.

Although being a caregiver can be very stressful, there are things that you can do to help alleviate the stress.

Caregiver Tips for Lowering Stress

The following are five tips that can help you reduce your stress levels if you’re spending a lot of your time as a caregiver in California:

  1. Recognize the signs of stress. It’s important to identify the signs that you’re starting to feel stressed. These can include feeling overwhelmed, anxious, irritable, depressed, or even physically ill. If you notice any of these signs, take a step back and assess the situation.
  2. Make time for yourself. Taking breaks is crucial to your physical and mental health, so be sure to take some time for yourself. That can be something as simple as reading your favorite book, going for a walk, or taking a hot bath.
  3. Ask for help. Don’t be afraid to ask for help from friends, family, or even professional caregivers. It can make a big difference in your ability to cope with stress.
  4. Find a support group. There are often groups available to caregivers that can provide emotional support. That can be an invaluable resource, particularly if you’re feeling isolated.
  5. Talk to your doctor. If you’re finding it difficult to cope with stress, talk to your doctor. They can recommend medication or therapy to help you deal with stress in a more effective way.

If you’re a caregiver, then the burden of stress can often feel overwhelming. You must deal with your stress in a healthy way to ensure that you can continue providing care for your loved one. For more health tips, visit us at The Benefits Store today.

What Is Long Term Care?

long-term care

A lot of people don’t realize how important long-term care is, simply because nobody likes to think about getting old and needing help with everyday tasks. However, it is a very important part of the aging process, and it’s something that everyone should be prepared for, both emotionally and financially. To help spread awareness about this subject, November has been designated as Long-Term Care Protection Awareness Month.

What Does Long-Term Care Refer To?

When a person grows older, they may eventually reach a point where they can no longer take care of themselves. That could be due to several different factors, such as age-related illnesses, cognitive decline, or physical impairments. When someone reaches this point, they will likely need help with activities of daily living, such as bathing, dressing, eating, and using the restroom.

It’s important to note that this is not considered medical care; it’s considered “personal” care. Not only can it include activities of daily living, but it can also include managing a person’s finances, helping them take their medication, performing their housework, and more. Long-term care is generally provided by unpaid caregivers, such as family members, although nurses who provide home care aid can also give such care.

Preparing for Care

According to the ACL, persons turning 65 today will have a 70% chance of needing long-term care at some point in the future. Considering that 80% of caregivers are unpaid and spend an average of 20 hours a week caring for family members who need care, this can have severe financial implications for both the caregiver and the person receiving care.

That is why planning ahead for care needs is so important. One way to do this is to purchase long-term care insurance, which can help cover the cost of personal care services. It’s important to do your research and compare different policies before making a purchase, as coverage and costs can vary greatly.

For more health information and advice, be sure to visit us at The Benefits Store today.