Growing old safe and healthy - Protection and precautions - in the home and garden - in traffic and when travelling - for your diet and sport - in ...
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11a /2016 Protection and precautions – in the home and garden – in traffic and when travelling – for your diet and sport – in financial and legal affairs Growing old safe and healthy
Preface
Dear reader!
Foto: Martina Draper
Foto: VVO/Kammeter
Dr. Louis Norman-Audenhove Dr. Josef Kubitschek
Generalsekretär des Österreichischen Geschäftsführer des Vereins
Versicherungsverbands VVO für Konsumenteninformation (VKI)
Thanks to good medical care and improved
living conditions many people in our country
This aim of this issue of KONSUMENT Spezial on the topic of “Growing old
today are likely to reach a ripe old age. And
safe and healthy”, published in cooperation with the Austrian insurance because we meanwhile know about the
association VVO, is to describe where in daily life hurdles and risks lurk for importance of a good diet and sufficient
the elderly – within their own four walls, in the home and garden, when out exercise, they are increasingly staying
and about, in terms of health, exercise and diet but also with regard to legal young for ever, not only in mind, but also
and financial precautions. maintaining an impressive level of physical
With this issue of KONSUMENT Spezial we would like to help raise fitness. And this isn‘t just good for the soul.
wareness for this topic.
a The aim here is to postpone ageing, the
need for help or physical weakness as long
Helpful hints for preventing hazards and ways of avoiding risks are explained as possible in a society that is geared to
in a plain and simple manner. eternal youth activity and performance. And
With its analyses, test summaries and reports the Austrian consumer
it is very few people who are willing to admit
information association Verein für Konsumenteninformation also helps that things perhaps no longer function as
improve transparency for consumers in the field of insurance. Well-informed they once did – and live in an environment
customers are more able to select the right insurance product to match their that gives no consideration to the growing
needs. need for safety.
It is important to us to show how older people can live their life as far as
possible without falling prey to accidents and how they can safeguard Accident risk group
themselves from hazardous situations and risks. Number One
For years our own four walls, the stairs at
home and our driveway were perfectly suited
to our lifestyle. Until the day when we
suddenly can hardly manage the high steps,
when we have difficulty in getting out of the
bath unaided or when we have to admit to
ourselves that there has been a worrying
increase of the times we‘ve almost had an
accident when going about our life. No-one
is immune from experiencing a mishap at
home, outside in the garden or on the street,
2 KONSUMENT 11a /2016
STAYING SAFE AT HOME
Living without risk
•• The most common risks of injury
•• How to avoid hazards in the home
•• If things still go wrong: Third-party
and home insurance
Facts and figures all elderly people. Thanks to delivery and • in reception rooms / bedrooms
care services such as Meals on Wheels and • on stairs indoors
In Austria someone over the age of 65 will
home helps many of them can remain at • in the kitchen
have an accident every six minutes.
And worse still, a fatal accident home, within their own four walls, to an
involving people who are 65+ occurs every advanced age. But their living e nvironment Frequent causes of accidents/tripping are
five hours. has to be adapted to changes in their safety • furniture left in the way
Some 85 percent of all accidents are due needs – and preferably b efore their physical • missing grab bars or handrails
to falls. or mental capabilities start to decline. But in • inadequate lighting
the prime of life people don‘t like thinking
but with increasing age there is a decline in about growing old and dependent. When Short distances
mobility, mental clarity and strength. Our things no longer work out as before, many without steps
bones also become more brittle, and this will greet suggestions for home conversions
means that the consequences of tripping are from their family with the cry, „It‘s no longer On reaching retirement age when their
therefore more serious. Even if younger worth it for me!“. children have left home, some senior
people are supposed to be more likely to And yet the most common causes of citizens decide to move to smaller
take a risk, have a desire for adventure and accidents among older people can often accommodation that matches their needs
tend not to think carefully beforehand, it is be avoided with just simple measures: in this new phase of life, often fulfilling the
senior citizens who are at the greatest risk According to KFV some 85 percent of criterion of barrier-free design at the same
of accidents to a soaring degree. In 2001 accidents in the home involve falls. The time. Financial support is available from
people over the age of 65 years accounted areas in the home where accidents are some local authorities for such a step. This
for 42 percent of fatal accidents, and by 2011 most likely are then not only reduces the costs of rent,
this figure was 67 percent. And over more
or less the same period the number of
senior citizens who ended up in hospital as
in-patients after an accident rose from The ideal home for older people
70,000 per year to 90,000 (source: KFV – According to a checklist published by Austria‘s Ministry of Transport accommodation for a senior
Kuratorium für Verkehrssicherheit, Austrian citizen should ideally satisfy the following criteria:
research organisation for road safety). • no-barrier access to the lift • socket outlets at a height of at least 40 cm
• access to all rooms without door sills • walk-in shower without sills or sloping
„It‘s no longer worth it!“ • door widths at least 90 cm shower drainage
• good, glare-free lighting • fold-up grab handles for the WC
It is of course a major factor that there are • sufficient light switches at a height of • movable beds, accessible from three sides
80 to 100 cm
ever-increasing numbers of older and above
KONSUMENT 11a /2016 3
electricity and heating, but also expenditure
for cleaning, care and upkeep of a home.
However, if you‘d prefer to remain your
familiar environment, you can make your
daily life easier and better suited to your
age. For example, by slightly reducing the
living area permanently in use and „moving
house“ within your own four walls. This is
possible for example by relocating your
bedroom from the first to the ground floor,
turning the room next to the bathroom into
your bedroom or moving your lounge into
what used to be the children‘s room or
guest room. It might be smaller but faces
south and is therefore brighter and warmer.
The new objective is to keep distances as you could make your own four walls safer, of the home. Secondly, occupational
short as possible, doing away with steps for example with certain changes, better therapists or advisors specialising in barrier-
and door sills. Go through your rooms in lighting or grab rails for support. free design for instance can offer valuable
your mind and consider where and how hints about weak spots, and how grab rails
use of your home might be reorganised Grant bodies and and aids should be positioned in the home
without major effort. advice centres so they can be used with ease. You can
As soon as you have decided on the also approach associations for seniors,
room allocation, think through your When it comes to planning, why not ask health insurance companies and old age
accommodation room by room. Based on the experts? Firstly, all provinces run aid insurance institutions, your local authority
the following information, consider how programmes for age-appropriate conversion or provincial government to ask about
facilities for obtaining advice and applying
for grants. If you are only a tenant, make
Ambient Assisted Living sure you also get written consent from your
This is an umbrella term for a wide range of different supporting technologies which are designed to landlord if you are planning to convert your
make life easier for older people in their own home and improve their safety. The aim here is to reduce living quarters. Professional conversion
dependence on relatives and care services at the same time. work should be in a landlord‘s interest as a
One aid that has already existed for some time is the emergency call button that is constantly worn on home increases in value if it is barrier-free.
the wrist.
It allows the wearer to quickly call for help when needed, for example after a fall. Technical advances
and digital networking have additionally opened up many other possibilities here. Sensors fitted to the
shoe or installed in the home can detect movement and raise an alarm if someone has a fall, leaves
the oven on or forgets to shut the window. So people can maintain their independence for longer,
there are universal remote control systems which can be used to operate various devices and
appliances in the home, e.g. beds, lamps, ovens or blinds.
In the healthcare sector researchers are also hard at work in the fields of telemedicine or home
monitoring. Assistive technology offers special help that is not just limited to senior citizens with a
chronic illness. It extends from automatic reminders about taking medication to electronic monitoring
systems that for instance prompt people with a pacemaker or diabetes patients to regularly send their
data to a server. An alarm is then raised with a malfunction or any deterioration in their state of health.
Some of these options are already available, although many are still at the development stage. Ask
the aid organisations what might be an option for you (for addresses see page 24).
4 KONSUMENT 11a /2016
are the most common causes of accidents
here. Make sure there is sufficient light
and reduce door sills to a minimum. Also
remove runners or attach antislip strips
underneath.
••A practical cloakroom. This
includes a wall-mounted coat rack (coat
stands can easily tip over), hooks securely
affixed at eye level, an umbrella stand for
walking sticks, a stable seat and a surface
to put your shopping bag down on. Other
useful items are a key rack and a long
shoehorn hung at a height you can easily
reach. Before the front door you should
have a doormat that is preferably level
TIPS FOR AVOIDING ACCIDENTS AT HOME with the floor or is at least not too thick
and non-slip.
Throughout the home positioned at the top and bottom of Safety chain or door guard.
staircases. You can also buy fluorescent Such devices are handy but should only
••Remove anything you could strips that will allow you to see steps be used if you just want to open the door
trip or slip on. Remove rugs and better if you are starting to have difficulty a crack. If they are kept permanently in
runners that are not secured to the floor in adjusting between light and dark. position, this will prevent rescuers with a
or attach antislip strips or mats to them. ••On stairways. A handrail over the spare key getting in if there is an emergency.
When purchasing new ones, make sure entire length on both sides will give you a
you only buy non-slip carpets and floor secure hold here. If you are no longer In In the kitchen
coverings. Where possible, lay (extension) very mobile, a stairlift is both safe and
cables and other power lines behind convenient. ••Good lighting. You should arrange
furniture, running along the wall. Door ••Gas-fired continuous-flow for extra lamps or spots to be fitted, in
sills should be planed flat or removed. If heaters. They not only produce particular over the oven, sink and work
this isn‘t feasible, sills should be levelled contamination but also toxic carbon
surfaces to make sure you have enough
out with utility threshold sections or ramp monoxide. You should make sure that the light to see by.
systems to reduce the risk. room has adequate ventilation and the ••Convenient cupboard
••Socket outlets at hand appliance is serviced by a professional height. Wall units should not be too
height. Have socket outlets and once a year. high. If this is the case, arrange for
switches repositioned so you can reach ••Emergency call numbers. them to be repositioned slightly lower.
them with ease. Keep phone numbers for calling the Revolving wire baskets make lifting out
••Fit anti-tip devices. Above all police, ambulance and fire services next heavy crockery easier. Extending rails
to shelving and wall cupboard units. You to your telephone or store them in your and drawers are useful in floor cup-
should also make sure that you do not trip mobile so you won‘t waste time looking boards, with pull-out wheeled trolleys
over television or PC monitor cables etc. for them in the confusion. also acting as a good alternative here.
••Bright, glare-free lighting. ••Stable stepladders. Don‘t
Accidents are particularly frequent in Porch/lobby attempt a balancing act with stools and
poorly lit stairwells and hallways. Lamps chairs if you need something from high up.
that are switched on by a motion detector ••Common weak spots. Poor ••Work surfaces. If they are too
are helpful here, as well as light switches lighting, door sills and unsecured carpets high or low, you will become tired more
KONSUMENT 11a /2016 5
quickly, so putting you at risk of a mishap, p rotect against scalding. For a greater with a door offer safe entry. Bath
for instance when chopping food. One reach, the tap can be fitted with a shower shorteners, which are secured in place
helpful feature in the kitchen is a worktop head with hose. with suckers, will prevent you slipping into
that allows you to slide a chair underneath ••Practical crockery. Pots and the water should you experience a dizzy
and work sitting down. pans should be light and have handles spell. Bath hoists let you get in the bath on
••Safe use of the oven. When that don‘t heat up. your own, whether you choose a model
cooking, preferably use the hotplates at with an electric motor or one that is raised
the rear and turn the handles of pots and In the bathroom and WC and lowered solely by water power.
pans to the back or side. On single-level ••Height-adjustable wash-
glass ceramic hobs heavy saucepans ••Grab bars. Grab rails are quick and basins. Particularly recommended if
can be simply slid around instead of simple to fit in the shower, beside the bath the bathroom is used by more than one
having to be lifted. or next to the WC and make it easier to person. In this case the mirror should
••Kitchen timer. If your oven is not get up, in and out. also extend far down.
equipped with a timer switch, a kitchen ••Non-slip mats. Bathmats with a ••Door to bathroom and WC.
timer can be used to remind you about non-slip surface and underside as well as Doors that open outwards will make it
food cooking on the hob or in the oven. rubber mats with suckers for the shower easier for rescuers to enter in an
••Saucepan lids. Never leave oil or and bathtub prevent slipping when taking emergency. Changing the direction is not
fat on the hob unattended. If there is ever a bath. generally a costly affair.
a fire, don‘t extinguish the flames with ••Walk-in showers. The risk of ••At grip height. When fitting taps,
water but cut off the oxygen supply with a slipping can also be reduced with a grab rails, towel holders and shelves,
saucepan lid. shower chair (preferably with a backrest) make sure that they can be reached
••No dangling cables. Cables or, better still, with a wall-mounted without difficulty. Also ensure socket
belonging to kettles, bread slicers, etc. fold-down seat in the shower. To avoid outlets are easy to use and include an
should be run along the worktop against problems getting into the shower, we ejection mechanism.
the wall and after use wound up on the recommend choosing a shower base ••Thermostatic taps. As in the
appliance itself. that is flush with the floor or is at least kitchen, single-lever mixer taps also
••Single-lever mixer taps. In levelled off. offer protection from hot water burns
the case of taps with a built-in thermostat ••Aids for the bathtub. Bath seats in the bathroom by means of a built-in
it is possible to set a maximum value are better than bathboards, which do not temperature regulator or an anti-scald
for the water temperature (e.g. 38 °C) to offer any support for the back. Hip baths device.
••Raised toilet seats. It‘s not
only simple to fit grab rails to help you sit
down and get up – installing a raised toilet
Risk of fire seat with fold-up armrests is also easy.
Apart from falls, older people are also at disproportionate risk from injuries or even fatal accidents due ••Readily accessible. If you are
to fires. According to the Austrian fire prevention agencies, the average age of persons perishing in replacing your WC by a new one with a
a fire is 62 years. The reason for this is generally attributed to the decline in sensory perception height of at least 48 cm and a new cistern,
occurring in people over 70 years of age, but carelessness and poor memory are also factors here. also check at the same time that it is easy
Many fires start with ovens, deep-fat fryers and candles left burning. Besides general fire protection
measures, we therefore recommend all homes occupied by senior citizens should be equipped with to flush and that the toilet paper holder
a smoke alarm. The piercing signal emitted in response to smoke will also be heard by people with and toilet brush are within reach.
impaired hearing. Such alarm devices are easy to fit and should be installed in the hall as well as in
your lounge and bedroom. These alarms are generally powered by a battery and should be regularly
tested to check they are still functional. The operating instructions will tell you how to do this. In the lounge
Every home should also be equipped with portable fire extinguishers, which need regular checks
••Stable seating. If seats are too
every two years or so. The fire services frequently offer special dates for testing here. low, they can be raised. Armchairs and
sofas on castors are liable to roll away
6 KONSUMENT 11a /2016
when you sit down or get up and should getting up easier. If your bed is too low, not be obstructed by chairs, stools or
be replaced by more stable seating, raise with bed risers or blocks which can rugs so you don‘t trip over them – for
preferably with armrests. be permanently affixed to the bed legs. example, when getting up at night for
••Less is safer. Vases, standard ••Adjustable slatted base. the bathroom. Nightlights with a motion
lamps, side tables, magazine racks, Comfort can be improved with height- sensor are also useful so as not to wake
humidifiers, extension cables – the lounge adjustable bedheads and foot stops. up anyone else asleep in the room. They
is often a real obstacle course! Discard Many beds can be fitted with an adjustable are not as bright as the overhead light but
furniture and items that you rarely use. Tidy slatted base. Models with gas springs or are still sufficient to show the way.
away cables using cable clips or ducts and an electric motor are better than those
give yourself more room to move. with manual adjustment as they can be Outside the home
••The right lighting. Your favourite operated without effort, including by the
armchair should be particularly well bedridden, at the touch of a button. ••Tripping hazards. All pathways
illuminated, for example by a wall or ••Beside the bed. Apart from a round the house should never be
ceiling-mounted spot light. spot light for reading in bed at night – obstructed. Make sure you always put
••Edge protection. Sharp edges on preferably screwed to the wall – you should away garden chairs, sunloungers,
furniture can be made less dangerous by also be able to switch the room light on and ladders and garden tools such as
covering with adhesive corner protectors. off from your bed. Your bedside table rakes or hoes, watering cans, garden
should provide enough room for your hoses, etc. after use. Boot scrapers
In the bedroom medication, a glass of water, books and should be installed flush with the
magazines as well as a telephone so you ground.
••Optimum bed height. The can summon help in an emergency. ••Reduce the risk of slipping.
surface of your bed should be at a height ••Unobstructed passage. Remove dead leaves from garden steps
of 50 to 55 cm to make lying down and Your path between bed and door should and paths.
KONSUMENT 11a /2016 7
••Single-level access. Steps on
the path from your front door to the
PROTECTION FROM FINANCIAL HARM
garden gate should be made safer by
installing handrails on both sides and When your eyesight, speed and reactions then sometimes get patched up or held
ensuring safety underfoot using non- start to decline, things in the home will together with sticking plaster. But this
slip or rubber safety coverings. Use start getting broken more often. You fail to more than ever makes them a real source
permanently affixed or mobile ramps to stop a glass toppling over, the tongs fall of danger.
compensate for any differences in into the washbasin and crack it, you don‘t Mishaps however also occur away from
ground levels. put the kettle down properly so it tumbles home, when visiting friends, family or
••Lamps with motion detector. onto the floor or the mirror on the coat rack neighbours, through being a bit clumsy in
Make sure there is good lighting from gets broken when vacuuming. These are a shop or restaurant. Perhaps you are
the gate to your front door. Steps in the minor problems in the home, where things walking or cycling in the street and
garden should be illuminated with solar unintentionally set off an entire chain of
lamps. They are simply inserted in the accidents that culminate in sizeable claims
ground and light up as soon as anyone for compensation. Such nasty surprises
approaches.
Third-party insurance for may also lie in store for home owners if a
••Extending your reach. You four-footed companions passer-by or visitor is for example injured
can use telescopic tools when busy with Cats and small animals are covered by your by a branch or roof tile striking them when
minor chores in the garden. home insurance free of charge. Dog owners in they are in or near your garden.
••Sturdy footwear. Even if you Vienna, Upper Austria, Salzburg, Tyrol and
Styria must however take out third-party
are only popping into the garden for insurance for their pets. In Lower Austria „Fancy that happening
something, you should always wear in they only need separate third-party cover to me ...!“
proper shoes with non-slip soles. for dogs presenting an increased potential
••Safe garden furniture. Injuries for risk, although such insurance is always When a misfortune happens, it is helpful if
are common when putting up or moving recommended. The cost of such cover is at the you have a home and/or homeowner‘s
owner‘s expense. It is often cheaper to insure
folding garden chairs, collapsible camping policy, generally combined with a private
your dog under your home or homeowner‘s
stools or adjustable sunloungers. Make policy. Separate health insurance for pets is third-party insurance. This policy will bear
sure you only buy stable furniture without very costly and the benefits are limited. the financial loss of a claim and includes
castors. disasters such as complete destruction of
8 KONSUMENT 11a /2016
the home by a fire, a calamity that could your neighbour and a fire breaks out. It Sufficient
third-party cover
bankrupt you. And you can also submit additionally depends on the policy what is
claims for damages made by other people included and what is ruled out from the With new policies the standard insured
to your third-party insurance provider: The start. Glass breakage may for instance be value is 750,000 euros, although old
company will then consider whether such excluded or your policy is perhaps subject contracts frequently show even lower
a claim from an injured party is justified. If to an excess. This means you have to pay amounts under 500,000 euros. If you are
not, the claim will be rejected, and if you are for minor damage out of your own pocket looking for high levels of cover, you should
to blame, the insurer will bear the costs. up to a certain amount. not fail to have this sum adjusted and agree
Claims due to gross negligence are however Go through your policy carefully once an amount of at least 1 million euros – and
generally excluded, for example if you again or ask your insurance adviser to run preferably more. Higher amounts are
forget you left the iron on while chatting to through the current situation with you. generally available if you pay slightly extra.
With some policies the level of the premium
also slightly depends on whether the
third-party insurance is to offer worldwide
Possible shortfalls in cover protection or just in Europe. An insurance
policy with global cover is only important if
• Older policies frequently fail to cover what are known as active contributory losses. By this insurers
you often travel outside Europe or stay there
understand damage that is caused by or during the use of third-party objects.
Examples: for long periods – e.g. spend the winter in
– It is an active contributory loss if you are carrying a tea service to the table at a friend‘s house Thailand, go on cruises or sailing trips in
(i.e. are literally „active“), trip and the entire tea set gets broken. It is however not an active c ontributory the Caribbean or visit your children or other
loss if you catch the tablecloth when getting up and all the crockery falls to the floor. relatives on the other side of the world.
– Active contributory loss also comes about if you are kindly looking at your neighbour‘s out-of-order
television set and while doing so, it slips off the TV table and breaks. Active contributory loss does
not however occur if you trip and accidentally push the television off the table. Family simultaneously
If such losses are excluded from your policy, arrange for active contributory losses to be covered. insured
• If you regularly visit your family, e.g. your children to look after their kids, or call on an aunt, your It is not necessary to take out separate
siblings or other close relatives, check your policy to see whether damage occurring at the homes insurance for your spouse or partner and any
of direct relatives is covered. If necessary, have your policy extended to include the clause „Kein
children who share your home as they are
Verwandtenausschluss“ (= family not excluded).
covered by your private third-party policy.
KONSUMENT 11a /2016 9
SAFELY ON THE MOVE
In the street
and travelling
•• On foot, with a wheeled
walker
•• By bike or car
•• Travel safely, with cover
OUT AND ABOUT AS A PEDESTRIAN OR CYCLIST
It is good for both body and mind to They already feel stressed when ••The right footwear. Non-slip
regularly get out of the house and return confronted in autumn by wet leaves on the soles, a rugged profile and low heels
home with new impressions. But for senior way to the shops, walking downhill when offer good protection from falls.
citizens using Austria‘s roads is a risky icy or negotiating a road junction without ••Sufficient time. Avoid stress by
affair: In 2013 over half of the pedestrians traffic lights. A few precautions can help setting out in good time. Smartphone
and cyclists killed in traffic were people older people to remain mobile for a long owners who use public transport can
aged 65 years or more. According to time and take part in the life of their download apps for certain cities which
the Kuratorium für Verkehrssicherheit, community. show when the next tram or low-floor bus
many of these accidents involved collisions is scheduled to arrive at the station.
with cars because pedestrians were Tips for avoiding accidents ••Further, but safer. The shortest
overlooked. as a pedestrian way is often risky. You are better off
In the view of the experts there is no choosing a longer route if it avoids
evidence that older people represent an ••Light-coloured, reflective hazards such as road junctions without
increased risk on the roads. On the other clothing. You are more likely to be traffic lights or paths overgrown with
hand, it is undeniable that in no other age seen if you have reflective strips attached moss.
group is there such wide variation in to bags or clothes, particularly in poor ••Danger on the zebra
physical constitution as in people of 65 weather, at twilight or in the dark. With crossing. Pedestrians negotiating
years or over. While some people savour poor visibility people dressed in dark or crossings or road junctions controlled
their golden years of retirement in the muted colours will only be spotted when by traffic lights get run over by cars and
best of health, enjoying being fit and just 30 metres away, but those with lorries time and time again. Even when
constantly out and about, others already fluorescent patches on garments and the lights show green and above all at
struggle early on with serious health bags will already be noticed at a distance zebra crossings only ever step into the
problems or major physical restrictions. of 130 to 160 metres. road if you‘re certain you have been
10 KONSUMENT 11a /2016n oticed by drivers in all lanes, and above Tips for optimum use of s enior citizens – not lastly thanks to the
all by those turning off. wheeled walkers so-called Pedelecs (Pedal Electric Cycles).
••Go shopping after lunch. They are bikes equipped with a small
Streets and shops are not as busy in the ••Test beforehand. Try out different electric motor that will only assist the rider
early afternoon as in the morning and models in shops selling mobility aids when pedalling. The bicycles, which are
after people finish work. Shopping
and disability equipment. Check whether commonly called e-bikes, have become
trolleys with wheels are a convenient way you can operate the brakes easily and a real hit among people aged 65 or over.
of carrying your purchases. how the walking frame can be manipulated They allow them to cover long distances
••Build up a stock. Get in a stock over a low door sill when carrying with little physical effort – and you don‘t
of key foods as well as your medication shopping. have to get off either when going uphill.
and heating fuel so you don‘t have ••Adjust the height. Stand upright, But there‘s a downside to such effortless
to leave the house on days when the with your arms hanging down next to the riding: According to the Technical University
weather is very bad, e.g. storms or ice. walker. The handles should normally be of Chemnitz, the risk of an accident is the
Many shops and retailers now also offer set so they are level with your wrists. On same for bicycles with or without a motor.
home delivery. some models this setting can be marked But injuries will be more serious at high
and so easily found again, for instance speed – particularly if you don‘t hear as
Safety with a after transporting the frame. well, are less nimble and don‘t react as
wheeled walker ••Upright, not stooping. Make quickly in the past. So anyone who is a bit
sure you stand as upright as possible older and fancies getting on a bike (again)
Valuable help is available here in the form and keep between the side struts of the should therefore note a few things to
of a walking frame on wheels when your leg walking frame. Stay as close as possible ensure a safe journey.
muscles become weaker, you are in pain or to the walker so you have a better grip
feel dizzy or have had after surgery on your and can control it more easily. Tips for avoiding accidents
knee, hip or spine. It will let you remain ••Negotiating steps. When as an (e-)bike rider
mobile and independent. You can use it to outdoors, tackle small obstacles like
take a basketful or two home and even sit steps at an angle, sliding each of the ••Check your sense of
down briefly on the seat to catch your front wheels individually over the edge. If b alance. With your legs together,
breath. available, you can also use the tilting stretch your arms out with your eyes
There are a range of different models device, a foot pedal on the back of the shut. If you can stand like that for 15 to
for every need: designed for use in the frame. If you are having difficulty with a 20 seconds, your sense of balance is
home, outside on uneven ground or a high kerb, see if you can avoid it by good enough for cycling.
combination of the two. The frames funded looking for a lower one. ••Hearing and eyesight. It is
by the health insurance companies are ••Getting on the bus with a vital to be able to hear acoustic signals
solid, clumsy aids, generally made of steel, wheeled walker. Buckle your in road traffic and you also have to spot
with a board-type seat and a wire basket frame in place if the bus has belts. Do not traffic signs, road markings, speed
that can be folded together crosswise. sit on a wheeled walker as this may easily humps etc. in good time as well. Ask your
Modern designs fold lengthwise and are cause an accident when the bus is in doctor to perform the relevant tests. You
lighter and easier to use, particularly when motion! can protect your eyes from injuries or
you‘re out and about. However, as they glare with shatterproof sports goggles
are more expensive, health insurance Travelling safely on an and prescription sunglasses.
companies offer at best a cost contribution (electric) bike ••Speed. Don‘t let yourself be tempted
for such models. to go faster by other speedier cyclists:
Whether used when doing chores in the Ride at a pace at which you feel safe –
local area or just for leisure: Cycling is and one that allows you to stop in good
becoming increasingly popular among
time if a risky situation crops up.
KONSUMENT 11a /2016 11••Lower crossbar. If you have a
problem with your hips or knees, a bike
DRIVING SAFELY
with a low crossbar help you get on, and
often when dismounting as well. Whether the elderly should continue It however cannot be denied that getting
••Good suspension. If you have driving is a controversial issue. Younger older is associated with certain fall-off
problems with your joints or spine, make people criticise the decline in road safety in functional abilities. Vision, hearing and
sure the saddle on your bike has good among senior citizens and demand regular reactions all start to decline, and the
suspension and there is a suspension testing of their fitness to drive. Older drivers c apability to absorb and process
fork. Larger tyres will also help to cushion worry they are going to lose their mobility information in complex situations slows
jolting. and independence. The facts speak for down. This too is borne out by statistics:
••Don‘t forget your helmet! themselves: The proportion of more Accidents with older drivers mainly take
There is no legal obligation to wear a mature drivers who have an accident in place at road junctions in the locality, i.e.
helmet, either for bicycles or e-bikes. We their car is lower than for people under 65. less in situations involving excessive
nevertheless urge you to make sure This is doubtless partly due to the fact that speed, but primarily those requiring fast
your head is properly protected. older people tend to drive less overall and reactions and a clear mind. Austrian law
••Reflective garments. Light- that currently, not even half of all 60+ does not stipulate any official test of fitness
coloured, high-contrast clothing with women hold a driving licence. On the other to drive for older people. Anyone who holds
reflective strips ensure you‘ll be
hand, they avoid driving in the dark, in poor a driving licence has the right to remain on
noticed more quickly, so affording extra weather and in the rush hour. They are also the road until the end of their life. It is
protection here. more likely to keep to the speed limits and nevertheless in their own interest to
less likely to be distracted by gadgets consider whether they are still fit to drive
Licence-free such as smartphones. Although accidents in good time as older road users have a
mobility scooters involving older drivers show a slight higher risk of injury. The ability of tissue
increase, this is mainly due to more and and bone to withstand impacts declines
Such scooters allow older persons who more older people continuing to drive. as we become older. This means that
have difficulty walking and never obtained
a driving licence to go shopping or visit
the doctor on their own, particularly in How good a driver are you?
rural areas without good links to public Please answer these eleven questions to assess your driving skills. There is a certain number of
transport. This way they retain their points for every question you answer with Yes. You can find the score rating below.
independence – they don‘t have to call on
• Do I find driving at night or at twilight especially • Do I feel increasingly tired during the day –
private taxi services and can make visits difficult and am I often dazzled by oncoming including when at the wheel? (2 points)
and short excursions in their local area. traffic? (1 point) • Has someone already mentioned the way I
Although mobility scooters are sometimes • Have I recently experienced inexplicable drive or refuses to be driven by me? (2 points)
slower than a bike, you should still be accidents or near-misses? (4 points) • Do I feel increasingly unsure on roads I don‘t
familiar with the rules of the road and traffic • Do I often go the wrong way when driving? know or in dense traffic? (1 point)
(1 point) • Do I feel I am slower to respond in critical
signs for your own safety.
• Do I find driving more and more an effort situations than before? (1 point)
(compared to before)? (1 point) • Do I feel unsure when turning onto a main
• Do I find it difficult to estimate the speed of road (without traffic lights)? (2 points)
other cars properly (e.g. on the motorway)? • Do other drivers often honk impatiently at
(2 points) me? (1 point)
Score: 4 points or over indicate an increased risk. For your own safety have your driving skills
tested!
Source: https://www.tuev-hessen.de/content/know_how_services/life_service/testauswertung/
index_ger.html, Download on 28.6.2016
12 KONSUMENT 11a /2016a ccidents have more serious consequences
and result in worse injuries. According to
the accident research database of
Austrian‘s motoring association ÖAMTC
(Österreichischer Automobil-, Motorrad-
und Touringclub), older men have a higher
incidence of thorax and brain injuries, while
older women are more likely to suffer injury
to the cervical spine.
Tips for avoiding accidents
as car drivers
••Have a medical check-up. If you want to
be certain that you won‘t be exposing
yourself and others to unnecessary
hazards, you can sign up for a driving radio station and volume you require: insurer differs in the way they do this
safety course with a motoring club or ask Preferably put your sunglasses down the and to what extent. It is therefore worth
a doctor you trust to check your vision front of your top so you can keep your regularly comparing premiums.
and reactions. KFV offers older road eyes on the road during your journey. ••Low annual mileage. Tell your insurer if
users voluntary driving skills workshops ••Mobile phone and satnav. Hands-free you do a lower mileage than before: That
that go by the name of „bewusst.sicher. systems are good, but it‘s better not to may also help to reduce premiums.
werkstatt – Verkehrskompetenz für speak on the phone at all. As we get ••Driver safety training. Perhaps there is a
Senioren“. Information available on tel. older, our ability to multitask falls off. discount if you take part in such a course.
No. 05 770 77-1950 or e-mail: senioren@ And even if you plan to use your satnav, ••From fully comprehensive to third-party,
kfv.at, www.bewusstsicher.at. check the route out beforehand. If you fire and theft. Three to five years after
••Sickness and medication. According to a aren‘t sure where you are, stop the car to buying a brand-new car it may be a good
study carried out by Germany‘s Federal find out. idea to change your level of cover and so
Highway Research Institute (BASt), significantly reduce premiums!!!
driver reactions are impaired by around a Optimum third-party
fifth of all drugs. This not only includes car insurance
sleeping tablets, tranquillisers and
painkillers, but also medicine for allergies ••Should you still have an accident despite
and high blood pressure or remedies for driving with great care, every car owner is
colds. Check this with the doctor who obliged to take out third-party insurance.
prescribes your medication! If you keep submitting claims, your car
••A clear cockpit. Extra bits and pieces, insurer is entitled to cancel your policy
various holders on the dashboard or with them.
fiddly controls are a distraction inside a ••To keep premiums low, including for your
vehicle. The focus here should be on current insurance, here are a few ways of
systems designed for active intervention saving money.
(i.e. with driver error) such as anti-lock ••Check your policy once a year. When
braking (ABS), electronic stability (ESP) calculating the premium due, some
and emergency brake assistants (EBA). insurance companies take the age of the
••Before setting off. Set the climate control policyholder into consideration – along
to the right temperature and select the with many other factors. However, each
KONSUMENT 11a /2016 13SENIOR CITIZENS TRAVELLING serious medical condition. This will not
only cover the cost of treatment on the
spot, but also repatriation. If you make
Once you retire, you at last have time for numbers saved on your mobile – many trips a year, you may find taking out
all the wonderful trips you never managed family, friends, doctors, travel insurance an annual policy the cheapest option.
to make while working. Some people head provider, tour operator, as well as the ••Cancellation cover. A good
off for the country of their dreams or decide emergency numbers for your country of idea if you are booking an expensive
to spend several weeks or months at a destination. holiday many months ahead. But check
time on board a boat. Most older people ••Common travel companions. the terms and conditions as compensation
however don‘t go away for so long and Prevent stomach upsets by above all is often only available for accidents or
prefer to make a trip several times a year avoiding tap water, ice cubes, ice cream serious illness.
instead. Besides affordable railcards, and salad and only eating fruit that has • •International health
more and airlines and tour operators are been peeled. Also, never order food or i nsurance. Such a policy is
offering discounts for people aged 60 or snacks that have been standing about recommended when travelling to countries
over who have time and opportunity to for a long time in the heat, e.g. from where healthcare is expensive as health
travel. Here they are trying to ensure buffets on the beach or roadside kiosks. insurers will only reimburse what you
hotels are occupied outside of the costly To play it safe, get a an electrolyte would have paid for treatment at home.
high season. We recommend you take a solution from your local pharmacy before ••Holiday accident insurance.
few key precautions so you enjoy your trip you go. Does not offer high levels of cover and
and always come home again in good only applies under certain conditions. It is
health: Private travel insurance better here to take out private leisure
••Make sure you are fit to accident insurance (see page 15ff).
travel. A few weeks before departure Lots of new impressions, unfamiliar food ••Baggage insurance. Here too
ask your doctor to check whether you and all the stress of travelling – your there are many reasons for exclusion.
are up to the stresses and strains of a immune system may well kick in while you You‘d do better to leave valuables at
journey lasting several hours or a flight are on holiday. If you are remaining within home and travel „simply“ – that will also
and can cope with a different climate Europe, it may be enough to just show your save you a lot of stress.
or altitude level. Your doctor can also European health insurance (on the back of ••Worldwide third-party
recommend vaccinations and prescribe your society security e-card) to obtain insurance. If you frequently go
the medication required for the duration treatment from a doctor or hospital. Private abroad or spend long periods there,
of your stay. travel health insurance may also be useful check that your private third-party
••Take an emergency kit in a non-European country or one with an insurance offers worldwide protection
with you. Put the medication you poor healthcare system, or if you suffer a (see p. 8f).
need every day in your hand luggage and
include plasters and ointment as well to
be on the safe side.
••Accessibility / aids. If you have
Day trips by coach
difficulty walking or similar problems, Enjoy variety and new impressions without having to bother about anything and return to your own
four walls in the evening again – offers from trustworthy local coach companies still remain popular
check with the tour operator that your among people of retirement age. The infamous coach trips that used to be organised for selling
accommodation or destination is going purposes are however a totally different matter. Here senior citizens were parted from their money on
to be suitable for your needs. Find out short excursions in exchange for overpriced merchandise. Such outings were prohibited by law in
in good time how items such as crutches, 2012. There however still exist shady offers, marketed for example as a „prize trip“. Give them a wide
a wheeled walker, wheelchair or oxygen berth. At the end of the day you will only be confronted by pushy selling agents who want to flog you
something! Such shady companies appear on a long list that is constantly updated on the home page
cylinders can be transported.
of Lower Austria‘s Chamber of Labour (https:// noe.arbeiterkammer.at) under the heading „Hände
••Emergency call numbers. weg von Werbefahrten!“).
Check you have important phone
14 KONSUMENT 11a /2016LIFE AND LIMB
Health, exercise and diet
•• Sufficient exercise – but safely intensity exercise each week (e.g. hiking
in the mountains, ball games, running,
•• A good diet fast cycling);
•• Private health and accident insurance On two or more days of the week
•
perform moderate or high-intensity
exercise to strengthen all major muscle
groups (e.g. gymnastics, strength training);
REGULAR EXERCISE • Do physical activity that will maintain or
improve balance to reduce the risk of
falls.
„„Lose or use“ and „Mens sana in corpore All that‘s needed here is a few stretching Source: https://www.gesundheit.gv.at
sano!“ – these well-known sayings have exercises in the morning, as soon as you
more than just a grain of truth to them. get up, and a nice, brisk walk during the Stay fit together
People who keep themselves both mentally day. The only important thing is to make
and physically fit often look far younger sure you exercise regularly, preferably Exercising in a group has positive side
than their contemporaries as they get older. several times a day. If you have backache, effects. On the one hand, you are less
And the scientists have meanwhile proved a bad knee or other health problems, tempted to not turn up every second time
the above adages to be true in many cases. special exercise programmes prescribed because you just can‘t be bothered. And
Regular exercise has a positive effect, not by your doctor will relieve symptoms and on the other hand, you regularly meet
just on muscle strength, body weight and help your body to heal faster. other people so are less likely to feel lonely.
bone density, but also on blood pressure There is a wide range of activities on offer
and cholesterol levels. It additionally Recommendations here for the older generation , e.g. group
protects you to a certain extent from
for exercise gymnastics, coach trips to local swimming
many chronic conditions such as diabetes, baths, Nordic walking meet-ups or aqua
cardiovascular disease, osteoarthritis or To remain in good health older people fitness. One pastime that is especially
disorders of the spine. And, last but not should popular among people of retirement
least, it enhances quality and enjoyment • Get at least 150 minutes of moderate- age is rambling together, whether with
of life. intensity exercise each week (e.g. associations for senior citizens, groups
You don‘t have to engage in strenuous power-walking, brisk cycling, gardening, of nature lovers, Alpine clubs or just
activity or buy expensive fitness equipment. swimming) or 75 minutes of high- organised privately.
KONSUMENT 11a /2016 15What statutory health and
accident insurance covers
When in your home country, you needn‘t
worry about the cost of medical care after
an accident.
••Your statutory health and accident
insurance will not only pay for treatment
and medical expenses if a retiree or
family member on the same policy falls ill
or has an accident.
••The scheme also funds follow-up treatment
such as a stint in a rehabilitation clinic,
the cost of a wheelchair or crutches and
occupational therapy as an outpatient.
Unlike in a working family when incapacity
During sport and Don‘t make false economies. of the main breadwinner through an accident
beforehand Anyone who thinks they can get away with may well make a large dent in their income,
using a cheap bike and worn-out trainers the financial impact here is less dramatic
To avoid nasty surprises, a few points for the few years they‘ll be remaining active for people who have retired. They will
should be borne in mind for all leisure is running an increased risk of injury: Your continue to receive their pension as usual.
activities. This applies to seniors who muscles, bones, tendons and joints are no
have been doing sport for years as well longer what they were when you were Co-insurance
as to absolute beginners or people who younger. They need stability and as much
want to get back to exercising. For you support as possible from outside – for Under certain conditions it is possible to
extend health and accident insurance to inclu-
unfortunately no longer have the body instance, from good-quality footwear
de spouses, people in a civil partnership and
you once had. offering a firm hold or a solid bicycle with live-in partners who have been sharing the
Health check. Take advantage of good suspension. same household for at least ten months, as
the screening programmes on offer and well as relatives acting as carers or
regularly make an appointment for a housekeepers. Ask your health insurer about
If things go wrong the exact terms and conditions involved here.
thorough check-up. Above all people who
are returning or new to exercise should Adventure, risk and the feeling that nothing
ask their doctor for a detailed review of in life can go wrong – that‘s a sentiment we
physical functions. tend to leave to the young as we get older. Finances may however become tight if the
Thin mountain air. Ask your doctor Most seniors pass up rafting and hang unfortunate person is left with a permanent
which sport is suitable for you and what you gliding in favour of less thrilling sports physical disability. It may then be necessary
must watch out for. If you suffer from high like rambling and cycling. Such leisure to swiftly convert certain parts of the home
blood pressure, problems with the heart, activities can be more easily controlled for barrier-free utilisation.
diabetes or dizzy spells, hiking in the according to your abilities and desires in
mountains for example could prove fatal. terms of speed and risk. But, however
Overestimating your careful you are, no-one is immune from
capabilities. Even if you‘d like to a slip or collision – and all the tedious
be right at the front when cycling, rambling consequences this involves.
or doing aerobics, take your ambitions
down a notch. What‘s important here is to
enjoy yourself and not totally overdo it.
16 KONSUMENT 11a /2016Extra cover: e xpenses can be borne by private accident to holiday accident insurance, particularly
private a
ccident insurance insurance. for people who travel a lot. However, please
remember here that you are only insured in
Private leisure and accident insurance may If you‘re taking out the event of an accident – if you require
be helpful here. Following a major accident insurance, do it properly cover for sickness when abroad, you will
it offers one-off payment of the insured additionally need to take out international
sum agreed under the policy so that Associations frequently offer basic leisure health insurance.
sizeable funds are swiftly available for accident insurance to members. However,
home conversion work and similar expenses. such protection is often limited to specific Age limits
Even if the consequences are less dramatic, sectors and activities in the framework
you may run up costs which are not borne of membership, or only low levels of Some insurers will only allow you to take
by the statutory health and accident compensation are available – you may out a new private accident insurance policy
insurance scheme. The most frequent
think you and your partner are adequately up to a certain age, and your cover under
example: You experience a dizzy spell insured, but merely receive minimal existing policies may also be limited in
when out hiking, can‘t move and have to be benefits after an accident. With a „real“ terms of age. You can save money in
rescued by helicopter. Health insurers will accident insurance policy the whole family relation to the sum insured as this no longer
only reimburse the costs in cases that will be insured 24/7 for one year anywhere needs to be set so high as when you were
are medically indicated. Here too such in the world. This can be a good alternative working.
PAY ATTENTION TO DIET AND HEALTH
Anyone who regularly takes sufficient therefore better if senior citizens are level (www.bmg.gv.at/home/Schwer-
exercise also needs to supply the body slightly or even moderately overweight. In punkte/Ernaehrung).
with enough energy. For most people this is the event of illness or reduced food intake ••Nutritional advice. Adjust your
no problem – quite the reverse in fact. the need for energy can be covered by the eating habits to your individual needs. If
Around one in three people aged between fat present on the body. you have high cholesterol, diabetes,
65 and 84 slightly overdoes it and struggles osteoporosis, gout, frequent heartburn
with the physical disadvantages of being Tips for an and other chronic conditions, minor
overweight. age-appropriate diet changes to your diet can often have a
While younger senior citizens tend towards major impact. Ask for nutritional advice.
obesity, people who are very old frequently ••Follow this general rule: Some health insurers offer this free of
suffer from an inadequate diet and Try to sometimes have fish instead of charge or organise talks on the subject.
malnutrition. This is generally associated meat, cut down on fat and sausage, ••Use more spices. The sense of
with poor muscle strength, which then making up for it with more side servings, taste becomes less strong. To make sure
affects mobility, breathing and digestion. especially vegetables, and regularly food still tastes of something, many
If they are short of protein, vitamins, opting for fruit. Dairy products as well different spices can be used (instead of
nutrients and minerals, the risk of various as cereals and pulses provide valuable salt), e.g. curry, mustard, herbs or a dash
(contagious) illnesses rises, wound healing protein, something older people of lemon.
and recovery take longer, and even the frequently lack. If you base your diet on ••Small portion sizes. In older
brain responds to possible deficiencies the scheme known as the Food people the stomach is no longer so
with forgetfulness and impairment of the Pyramid, this will have a positive on elastic so they get full up more quickly. It
senses. According to current studies it is your blood pressure and cholesterol is therefore often better to offer many
KONSUMENT 11a /2016 17You can also read
