Publications

ConsumerTIME

Older Drivers

According to the American Automobile Association (AAA), two of the most common complaints in car accidents are "I never saw him coming," and "I didn't see the sign." Good vision, says AAA, is essential to safe driving.

Unfortunately, drivers are likely to experience vision loss with age. The eye's ability to focus begins to decline in the mid 20s and the breadth of vision in the late 30s. By 45, most people need four times as much light to see an object in low light as they did at 19. All of these conditions continue to deteriorate with er aging.

To make sure older drivers safely navigate the AAA offers this advice:

Lenses: To ensure good peripheral vision when you wear corrective lenses, consider wearing contact lenses. Another option might be eyeglasses with thin frames and high-mounted side pieces. Problems with daytime glare? Try lightly tinted polarizing sunglasses. Of course, always keep your glasses clean and in good repair.

Eye exams: Be sure to get an annual eye exam, but don't wait if you've noticed a change in your driving vision. For cataracts, consider lens implant surgery.

Car safety: Your car should have good all around visibility, with no heavy tinting on windows. Always clean headlights, taillights, windshields and rear windows inside and out. During the day, use low-beam headlights, especially on high-speed two-lane roads. Always check the mirrors and adjust as needed. And adjust the seat so you sit high.

Time travel: When possible, avoid driving at night, in bad weather or during rush hour. If you must, however, choose routes that are familiar, well-lit and lightly traveled. Use high beams on deserted roads. Tired or taking medication that blurs your vision or causes drowsiness? Don't get behind the wheel.

Intersections: Intersections can be dangerous. Always be alert to changing traffic lights; traffic signs; crossing traffic; vehicles that might stop, turn or enter roads in front of you; pedestrians and bicycle traffic.

Long trips: Stop occasionally to rest your eyes and your legs. Move your eyes frequently to avoid "highway hypnosis" and "tunnel vision." Avoid driving more than one hour past your normal bedtime.

According to AAA, older people can drive safely and build driving confidence by learning to cope with physical limitations, including declining vision. As the population ages and more older drivers are on the road, understanding special needs will mean safer for all of us.

Too Few Nurses

A report released in May by the National Consumers League (NCL) found that nearly half the consumers in its survey of people with recent hospital experience (their own hospitalization or that of a close family member) believed that safety was compromised by a lack of available nurses. One in 8 felt their situation had been extremely dangerous.

According to NCL Pres. Linda Golodner, "Consumers are particularly vulnerable in the hospital setting and are well aware of how staffing limitations can affect their care." Too few nurses caring for too many patients, she said, means patients will suffer.

The report, entitled The Effect of Current Nurse Staffing Levels on Patient Care, found that more than a third of the survey respondents said, in their experience, nurses didn't always provide medication in a timely manner. They also felt nurses didn't always arrive promptly to assess a situation when complications arose or simply to provide assistance.

Currently, AFSCME is supporting efforts in Congress to ensure an adequate supply of nurses. Our nurse-members have long complained of understaffing in their hospital workplaces, requiring them to work mandatory overtime hours and juggle too many responsibilities.

The AFSCME-backed bill, H.R. 4316, introduced by Rep. Jan Schakowsky (D-IL), would establish reasonable nurse to patient staffing ratios in hospitals. NCL found that more than three-quarters of the respondents in its survey would support this type of legislation.

Print Version