Assessing the Driving Ability of the Elderly


Book Description

This much-needed book explores the extensive literature on assessing the driving ability of the elderly and provides specific guidelines for practitioners working with the well and the frail older driver. As the number of elderly drivers increases, therapists are being called upon to evaluate drivers who have become physically, cognitively, or otherwise impaired but who wish to continue to drive. Motor vehicle departments are not always equipped to screen out potential hazardous drivers nor are other health professionals with only brief opportunities to assess function. This timely book features preliminary research studies of vital interest to occupational therapists on the driving ability of the elderly. Assessing the Driving Ability of the Elderly provides a general overview of the literature on elderly drivers; reports the results of 21 screening instruments that test older persons visual, motor, and cognitive abilities related to driving; and examines the usefulness of a self-administered driving questionnaire and daily diary as a method of screening individuals for deficits that may affect driving performance. All instruments developed for these studies are included in this groundbreaking book.







Rehabilitation of Neuropsychological Disorders


Book Description

Many contemporary neuropsychology texts focus on neuropathology, the description of specific tests, and the differential diagnosis of central nervous system disorders. However, increasingly sophisticated neuroradiological techniques, managed care factors, and the growth of rehabilitation necessitates that rehabilitation professionals provide more functionally (versus diagnostically) useful evaluations to improve the neuropsychological functioning and community integration of persons with brain injuries or diseases. This book aims to fill this gap and to provide an overview of standard neuropsychological treatment strategies for specific cognitive impairments that are identified on testing. The new edition enhances this goal with three chapters outlining important recommendations, services, and issues for rehabilitation professionals. Written by a team of experienced scientists and professionals, the volume provides a universal taxonomy of neuropsychological abilities (emphasizing relatively simple terms), with a list of basic rehabilitation strategies to improve impairments identified in general cognitive domains. Specific chapters are included on the neuropsychological remediation of memory, attention, language, visual-spatial skills, and executive function impairments. Each chapter proposes a taxonomy of relatively unitary cognitive constructs (e.g., divided attention, sustained attention, focused attention), lists tests which may be used to assess each cognitive construct, and provides specific rehabilitation strategies to improve or accommodate the identified neuropsychological impairments. The final chapters cover basic resources and issues of which the rehabilitation professional needs to be aware (vocational rehabilitation, disability determination, and guardianship issues). This new edition provides a wealth of useful information for family members, rehabilitation professionals, and others who work with persons with brain injury in improving the community functioning for those with brain dysfunction. An accompanying website facilitates access to the resources and strategies from the book, allowing the practitioner to cut and paste these recommendations into their clinical reports.




Aging and Your Eyes


Book Description




Pathy's Principles and Practice of Geriatric Medicine


Book Description

This new edition of the comprehensive and renowned textbook Principles and Practice of Geriatric Medicine offers a fully revised and updated review of geriatric medicine. It covers the full spectrum of the subject, features 41 new chapters, and provides up-to-date, evidence-based, and practical information about the varied medical problems of ageing citizens. The three editors, from UK, USA and France, have ensured that updated chapters provide a global perspective of geriatric medicine, as well as reflect the changes in treatment options and medical conditions which have emerged since publication of the 4th edition in 2006. The book includes expanded sections on acute stroke, dementia, cardiovascular disease, and respiratory diseases, and features a new section on end-of-life care. In the tradition of previous editions, this all-encompassing text continues to be a must-have text for all clinicians who deal with older people, particularly geriatric medical specialists, gerontologists, researchers, and general practitioners. This title is also available as a mobile App from MedHand Mobile Libraries. Buy it now from Google Play or the MedHand Store. Praise for the 4th edition: "...an excellent reference for learners at all clinical and preclinical levels and a useful contribution to the geriatric medical literature." —Journal of the American Medical Association, November 2006 5th edition selected for 2012 Edition of Doody's Core TitlesTM




Handbook for the Assessment of Driving Capacity


Book Description

This is a resource for professionals involved in determining the driving capacity of individuals with neurological involvement and or trauma. While much work has been completed in this new and growing field, this is the first attempt to bring together clinical work on assessing driving capacity for different clinical populations and conditions. Specific topics include, traumatic brain injury, stroke, dementia, normal aging, medications, retraining, interventions, medical conditions, legal issues, practical issues, assessment instruments, simulators, research and epidemiology. Each chapter will address clinically relevant issues specific to the clinical population. This comprehensive compilation of driving assessment of cognitively compromised populations is the first of its kind and Dr. Schultheis is regarded as a leader in the field. - The first definitive handbook about driving assessment of cognitively impaired populations, a growing area of research - Addresses a myriad of clinical populations and conditions such as brain injured and elderly patients - Written by nationally recognized leaders in their fields of expertise







Technology for Adaptive Aging


Book Description

Emerging and currently available technologies offer great promise for helping older adults, even those without serious disabilities, to live healthy, comfortable, and productive lives. What technologies offer the most potential benefit? What challenges must be overcome, what problems must be solved, for this promise to be fulfilled? How can federal agencies like the National Institute on Aging best use their resources to support the translation from laboratory findings to useful, marketable products and services? Technology for Adaptive Aging is the product of a workshop that brought together distinguished experts in aging research and in technology to discuss applications of technology to communication, education and learning, employment, health, living environments, and transportation for older adults. It includes all of the workshop papers and the report of the committee that organized the workshop. The committee report synthesizes and evaluates the points made in the workshop papers and recommends priorities for federal support of translational research in technology for older adults.







Clinical Pathways in Stroke Rehabilitation


Book Description

This open access book focuses on practical clinical problems that are frequently encountered in stroke rehabilitation. Consequences of diseases, e.g. impairments and activity limitations, are addressed in rehabilitation with the overall goal to reduce disability and promote participation. Based on the available best external evidence, clinical pathways are described for stroke rehabilitation bridging the gap between clinical evidence and clinical decision-making. The clinical pathways answer the questions which rehabilitation treatment options are beneficial to overcome specific impairment constellations and activity limitations and are well acceptable to stroke survivors, as well as when and in which settings to provide rehabilitation over the course of recovery post stroke. Each chapter starts with a description of the clinical problem encountered. This is followed by a systematic, but concise review of the evidence (RCTs, systematic reviews and meta-analyses) that is relevant for clinical decision-making, and comments on assessment, therapy (training, technology, medication), and the use of technical aids as appropriate. Based on these summaries, clinical algorithms / pathways are provided and the main clinical-decision situations are portrayed. The book is invaluable for all neurorehabilitation team members, clinicians, nurses, and therapists in neurology, physical medicine and rehabilitation, and related fields. It is a World Federation for NeuroRehabilitation (WFNR) educational initiative, bridging the gap between the rapidly expanding clinical research in stroke rehabilitation and clinical practice across societies and continents. It can be used for both clinical decision-making for individuals and as well as clinical background knowledge for stroke rehabilitation service development initiatives.