Senior Guide for Safe Driving (PDF) - California Department of Motor ...
Senior Guide for Safe Driving (PDF) - California Department of Motor ...
Senior Guide for Safe Driving (PDF) - California Department of Motor ...
Create successful ePaper yourself
Turn your PDF publications into a flip-book with our unique Google optimized e-Paper software.
4<br />
As you get older, you change physically and mentally.<br />
These changes can and do affect your driving skills.<br />
Becoming older does not automatically result in decreased<br />
driving skills. Many people continue to be safe drivers well<br />
into their retirement years. You have control over lifestyle<br />
choices that may affect your health; <strong>for</strong> example, what<br />
and when you eat, how much and what kind <strong>of</strong> exercise<br />
you get, how you handle stress, your frequency <strong>of</strong> social<br />
interaction, etc.<br />
A healthy, responsive body, along with an alert mind,<br />
requires good nutrition, adequate rest, and exercise<br />
to maintain or increase strength, flexibility, and sharp<br />
reflexes.<br />
nutrition<br />
Proper nutrition helps us maintain our health and provides<br />
us with the energy needed <strong>for</strong> daily activities, including<br />
safe driving. It is easy to overlook the warning signs <strong>of</strong><br />
poor nutritional health as we become older, so always<br />
consult your physician be<strong>for</strong>e making any dietary or<br />
nutritional changes.<br />
If you seem to have lost your appetite, discuss this with<br />
your physician. Loss <strong>of</strong> appetite can sometimes be a<br />
symptom <strong>of</strong> illness or the side effect <strong>of</strong> a medication that<br />
may affect safe driving. The checklist on the next page<br />
is a tool to help you identify areas that may need more<br />
attention. Complete the checklist and take it with you to<br />
discuss your nutritional health with your physician.