Page 18 THE MALDEN ADVOCATE–Friday, February 14, 2025 Justice Department Announces Formation of Task Force to Combat Anti-Semitism P Savvy Senior by Jim Miller Driving with Dementia and Knowing When to Stop Dear Savvy Senior, When should someone with dementia stop driving? My 83-year-old father has some dementia issues but still drives himself around town pretty well. Concerned Daughter Dear Concerned, Most doctors agree that people with moderate to severe dementia should never get behind the wheel, but in the early stages of Alzheimer’s or other types of dementia, driving performance should be the determining factor of when to stop driving, not the disease itself. With that said, it’s also important to realize that as your dad’s driving skills deteriorate over time from the disease, he might not recognize he has a problem. So, it’s very important that you work closely with his doctor to monitor his driving and help him stop when it is no longer safe for him to drive. Here are some additional tips that can help you. Watch for Warning Signs The best way to keep tabs on your dad’s driving abilities is to take frequent rides with him and watch out for warning signs. For example: Does he have trouble remembering routes to familiar places? Does he drive at inappropriate speeds, tailgate, drift between lanes or fail to observe traffic signs? Does he react slowly or make poor driving decisions? Also, has your dad had any fender benders or tickets lately, or have you noticed any dents or scrapes on his vehicle? All of these are red flags. If you need some assessment help, hire a driver rehabilitation specialist who’s trained to evaluate older drivers. See Myaota.aota.org/driver_ search or Aded.net to locate one in your area. Transition Tips Through your assessments, if you believe it’s still safe for your dad to drive, you should start recommending some simple adjustments to ensure his safety, like driving only in daylight and on familiar routes, and avoiding busy roads and bad weather. Also, get him to sign a dementia “driving contract” that designates someone to tell him when it’s no longer safe to drive. Go to Alz.org/driving and click on the “Download” button to print one. You may also want to consider getting a GPS car tracking device (like Bouncie.com or MotoSafety.com) to help you monitor him. These devices will let you track where he’s driving and allow you to set up zones and speed limits that will send you alerts to your smartphone when he exits an area, or if he’s driving too fast or braking harshly. Time to Quit When your dad’s driving gets to the point that he can no longer drive safely, you’ll need to talk to him. It’s best to start having these conversations in the early stages of the disease, before he needs to quit driving so he can prepare himself. You also need to have a plan for alternative transportation (including a list of family, friends and local transportation options) that will help him get around after he stops driving. For tips on how to talk to your dad, the Hartford Center for Mature Market Excellence offers a helpful guide called “At the Crossroads: Family Conversations About Alzheimer’s Disease, Dementia and Driving” that you can download at TheHartford.com/Publications-on-Aging. Refuses to Quit If your dad refuses to quit, you have several options. First, suggest a visit to his doctor who can give him a medical evaluation, and prescribe that he stops driving. Older people will often listen to their doctor before they will listen to their own family. If he still refuses, contact your local Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) to see if they can help. Some states will automatically revoke a license when a person is diagnosed with Alzheimer’s or dementia, while many others require retaking a driving test. If these fail, consider hiding his keys or you may need to take them away. You could also disable his vehicle by disconnecting the battery, park it in another location so he can’t see it or have access to it, or sell it. Send your senior questions to: Savvy Senior, P.O. Box 5443, Norman, OK 73070, or visit SavvySenior. org. Jim Miller is a contributor to the NBC Today show and author of “The Savvy Senior” book. ursuant to President Trump’s Executive Order on Additional Measures to Combat Anti-Semitism, the Justice Department announced today the formation of a multi-agency Task Force to Combat Anti-Semitism. The Task Force’s first priority will be to root out anti-Semitic harassment in schools and on college campuses. In addition to the Department of Justice, the Task Force will include representatives from the U.S. Department of Education, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, and other agencies as it develops. The Task Force will be coordinated through the Department’s Civil Rights Division. “Anti-Semitism in any environment is repugnant to this Nation’s ideals,” said Senior MUSINGS | FROM PAGE 7 at Saint Peter’s (I know, oy vey!)! Crisp, fresh and humming with life. The scent of Piantedosi’s warm bread drifts through the neighborhood like a memory you can almost taste, mingling with the unmistakable aroma of Mary, Jamie and Joe’s legendary pizza at Pisa Pizza, where the ovens have been firing since before you even knew what good pizza was. New England Coffee grinds fill the air with their (most of the time) glorious perfume, keeping the whole neighborhood caffeinated and content. And when the craving for something rich and comforting hits, the teriyaki aromatic whispers from China Garden’s kitchen promise the finest Chinese cuisine this side of Beach Street in Boston (try the egg rolls, they are still as good as you remember them growing up). Edgeworth isn’t just a place. It’s a feeling. It’s the sound of children’s laughter echoing down Emerald Street, the clatter of Counsel to the Assistant Attorney General for Civil Rights Leo Terrell, who will be heading the Task Force. “The Department takes seriously our responsibility to eradicate this hatred wherever it is found. The Task Force to Combat Anti-Semitism is the first step in giving life to President Trump’s renewed commitment to ending anti-Semitism in our schools.” If you have been discriminated against, you can file a complaint with the Civil Rights Division, at Contact the Civil Rights Division | Department of Justice (https://civilrights.justice.gov). President Trump’s Executive Order can be found here: https:// www.whitehouse.gov/presidential-actions/2025/01/additional-measures-to-combat-anti-semitism/ a baseball bat connecting just right at Devir Park, the way your name is never forgotten at the corner store (hello, Dawn at Donut Villa). It’s home. And if you don’t get it, well – fuhgeddaboudit! Thank you, thank you very much (said in my very best Elvis voice). Postscript 2: If you’re new to Edgeworth (or Malden) and find yourself wondering what all this gibberish is about, come experience it for yourself at the San Rock Festa this August. For three evenings, you’ll get a glimpse – a taste – of what this neighborhood was, what it is and what it will always be. Just as the neighborhood embraced the Levines back in 1964, we welcome all with open arms. Some things change, but the heart of San Rock remains the same. Viva San Rock. —Peter is a longtime Malden resident and a regular contributor to The Malden Advocate. He can be reached at PeteL39@ aol.com for comments, compliments or criticisms. Like us on Facebook advocate newspaper Facebook.com/Advocate.news.ma
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