Solar Shield®: Practical and Stylish Eyewear

I received a free pair of Dioptics Solar Shield sunglasses
via Vibrant Nation's Vibrant Influencer Network.

Spring has finally arrived.

The storm clouds have abated, and the brilliant sun is back in full force.

Thankfully, I have a new pair of Dioptics Solar Shield® sunglasses. 

They reduce glare and help protect my eyes from harmful UV rays.

Before I got these sunglasses, I was switching between my newer bifocals and my old prescription sunglasses. Not good.

Or I just went without sunglasses and squinted. But the harsh Kansas sun was getting the better of me.

Register with API for Info on Alz

Photo by Ian Sane. 

A sponsored post on behalf of Alzheimer's Prevention Initiative (API). 

Researchers are working hard to understand the risks and causes of Alzheimer's. Some are working on medications to slow down symptoms.

Long before clinical signs are apparent, the brain develops plaques and tangles. Some of the cutting-edge research focuses on how these plaques and tangles are formed, how they might be removed--or better yet--how they can be prevented from forming.

You can be part of an online community that shares current information about general brain health, Alzheimer's prevention, and future clinical trials.

To loan support to the prevention of Alzheimer's, please register  with API to receive information about current research such as the clinical trials conducted by the Banner Alzheimer's Institute (BAI).

Older Drivers Practice Self-Regulation

Photo by theackshay. 

Many people hold the stereotype that older drivers cause a lot of crashes. While driving does grow difficult for older adults, younger drivers still cause more accidents.

A study shared by The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) finds that "per licensed driver, drivers 75 and older kill fewer pedestrians, bicyclists motorcyclists and occupants of other vehicles than do drivers ages 30-59." (See text under #8 at IIHS's site.)

According to Consumer Reports,

"Mile for mile, the crash rate for drivers ages 16 and 17, for example, is almost nine times as high as that for middle-aged drivers. People 80 and older are involved in 5.5 times as many fatal crashes per mile driven as middle-­aged drivers."

Yes, teens crash more, but older adults are harmed more because they are more frail.

The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) shares data that older drivers sustain more injuries and fatalities in car accidents.

Dystextia: Sign of Brain Trouble

Photo by David365.

Strokes all too often go undiagnosed despite efforts to increase awareness of the signs and risk factors.  Add to the signs the phenomenon of dystextia--the inability to text properly and the failure to recognize errors in one's own text messages.  It's interesting that for some of the case reports, dystextia is the only apparent sign of an abnormal cerebral function.

People should add dystextia to other communication failures that signal the possibility of a brain abnormality such as a stroke or a transient ischemic attack (TIA). Right now, the number or reported cases is very small:

• a 40 year old male in Ireland published in 2006
• a 20 year old male in New Zealand published in 2011
• a 40 year old male on business in Detroit published  in 2012
• a 25 year old pregnant woman published in 2013

The man in Detroit did not detect any errors in his text messages including the phrase “Tjhe Doctor nddds a new bb," which should have read "The doctor needs a new Blackberry."  He was experiencing a stroke in the Broca's area of his brain, a key language center. 

Movies about Love & Sex for People 50 Plus

Photo by Amy Loves Yah. 

It's sometimes difficult for young people to imagine, but older adults need love and sexual contact.  Yes, sometimes age-related issues interfere with their abilities to pursue emotional and physical relationships.

Nevertheless, most people seek to clear these roadblocks.  Grappling with these conflicts makes for good movie material.

Hollywood love stories often focus on romance for those 15 to 35, but a growing  number of comedies and dramas are focusing on love and sex concerns for those middle aged (45 to 65) and older.

Here is a list of some of these films--organized by reverse chronology.

Finding Your Feet (2017). Imelda Staunton plays a woman who takes stock of her life after her husband of 40 years has an affair. The film is primarily about being your authentic self, but the main character (Sandra) does have a flirtatious relationship with a man supportive of her new identity.  Review

Our Souls at Night (2017). Addie (Jane Fonda) and Louis (Robert Redford) play neighbors who have rarely spoken until Addie proposes that they start a platonic relationship that includes sleeping (and just sleeping) together.  Over time, they share their life stories, their heartbreaks, their goals, and touch beyond cuddling.  Review.

The Rewrite (2015). Hugh Grant and Marisa Tomei star in a rom-com about two midlife adults looking for second chances. He wrote one successful screen play, but she's working on her first at midlife.  Can he teach her anything about writing? Can she teach him anything about life?

I'll See You in My Dreams (2015).  Blythe Danner stars as a widow of 20 years who has recently lost her canine companion. This serves as a catalyst for her to evaluate all of her relationships--past, present, and potential. Over the span of the film, she forms new connections with a couple of men--a pool boy years her junior and a gruff-and-handsome agemate. Review

Love Is Strange (2014). John Lithgow and Alfred Molina play a couple in a long-term relationship who finally marry only to be hit with several hardships. Friends and family step in to help, but living in close quarters with others puts a strain on those relationships and adds to their hardships.