ElderWeb

The New Mexico Motor Vehicle Division has announced the availability of a more comprehensive, online vision test. The online eye exam is available only at motor vehicle offices in Albuquerque, Santa Fe and two other cities, but by but eventually will become available to anyone with a computer video-conference camera. The online eye exam tests for long-distance vision, night vision, peripheral vision and color blindness, a more comprehensive vision test than that required by New Mexico law to be able to drive. Gorden Eden, director of the state Motor Vehicle Division Eden said the more comprehensive eye exam should improve highway safety by testing elderly drivers more thoroughly, saying, "The aging driver is becoming a greater risk than male teens."

The Administration on Aging (AOA) and the New Mexico Department of Aging will host a family caregiving roundtable in Los Griegos Community Center, 1231 Candelaria NW, Albuquerque, NM, (505) 761-4050. The discussion will be on challenges faced by families who care for older relatives who are chronically ill or have disabilities. The roundtable will provide the AoA with the opportunity to hear from family caregivers, community service providers, aging experts, and citizens about the kinds of service, support, and critical assistance needed to better deal with daily burdens and challenges of caregiving.

MSNBC recently published an article which describes how Geriatric Care Managers (GCMs) can help older people remain independent in their own homes. The article describes the GCM practice of Sharon Miles, of Albuquerque, New Mexico, and the value Sharon and other members of the National Association of Professional Geriatric Care Managers bring to long term care.