Seminar on Helping the Elderly Remain Safe
Drivers August 21
Editor's Note: For more information, please contact Kevin M. Sanders, writer/editor, at (740) 593-0896
ATHENS, Ohio (August 10, 2000) -- Determining when an adult is no longer able to drive safely is a decision that is difficult for everyone involved. Keith Peterson will present an informational seminar, "The Aging Driver: Who Decides when Enough is Enough?" on Monday, Aug. 21, at O'Bleness Memorial Hospital, Room B-9, from noon to 1 p.m.
Peterson's presentation will cover different problems older drivers face such as vision, arthritis, diabetes and medications. He will also discuss how the insurance industry views older drivers, tips for older drivers and ways to help the elderly deal with admitting they are no longer able to drive safely.
"Mature drivers present special challenges to their families, their health care providers and their insurers," Peterson said. "This presentation will offer information to help older drivers remain safe drivers."
Older adults as well as health-care professionals are invited to the program. Lunch trays and brown bags are welcome. For more information, call the Geriatric Education Center at (740) 593-2258.The seminar is part of Ohio University College of Osteopathic Medicine's (OU-COM) summer 2000 continuing education series on geriatric medicine and gerontology, held on the first and third Mondays of each month at O'Bleness Memorial Hospital, Room B-9, from noon to 1 p.m.
This is the last seminar to take place in the summer series. On June 19, Flint Adkins presented "Sleep in the Elderly," the first seminar. On July 17, Jim Rodgers presented "Long Term Care Insurance: Benefits and Limitations," and on Aug. 7, Allison Batchelor, M.D., presented "Incontinence."
"The seminars are designed for an interdisciplinary audience," said Ellen Peterson, geriatric education coordinator. "Health professionals from the community regularly attend, in addition to interns, residents and medical students. Members of the public are welcome as well, and the diversity of disciplines represented by the participants makes for an interesting exchange of ideas."
Sponsors include the Department of Geriatric Medicine/Gerontology, the Western Reserve Geriatric Education Center and Area Health Education Center and OU-COM.
Peterson said the seminar series was started by a federal grant that established OU-COM as a contributing site to the Western Reserve Geriatric Education Center in September 1994 and has supported many continuing education programs. Provided by the Department of Health and Human Services, the grant supports educational programs in geriatric and gerontology for physicians, nurses, social workers, counselors and health-care providers to 22 Southeastern Ohio counties.
