If you fall or are injured, who will know?!

Safety Matters.  People with memory problems face increased risks of falling.  Vertigo and the sensation of dizziness may result from the same changes in the brain that impact cognitive processes.   People with memory impairment and even those with mild cognitive impairment should consider protecting themselves with a medical alert tool in the event of an unexpected fall or injury.   Wearing a bracelet with a simple button to press in the event of an emergency can summon the help you need, when you need it.   Putting systems in place to protect yourself is key to protecting your independence!

For many people, the ability to drive a car is a key to retaining independence and the ability to live alone.  Services exist in many places that will deliver groceries.  But groceries alone do not a life make.  The ability to visit the store and engage in human interaction and conversation is critical to keeping the brain neurons firing, and sustaining memory and cognitive abilities.  Social interaction is essential to emotional well-being, too.   Without the simple human connections and caring found in the conversations of daily life, depression can take its toll.  Don’t wait until you need to ask the question “which comes first, depression or memory loss?“  Take the actions necessary to preserve your ability to live alone and engage in the daily outings of life.  One of those actions may be to ensure that your driving skills remain strong.