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GET SMART ABOUT SAFETY: BRAIN HEALTH So much about driving is mental, which is why we need to be extra mindful of our brain health and overall mental well-being. As we become older, changes may occur in our brain. This means it may take longer to make quick decisions and react appropriately to whatever the road brings our way. Slow reaction time, inattention, and poor judgment are responsible for many crashes among drivers of all ages. However, because we tend to slow down as we age, these factors become even more important as we advance in years. Here are a few factors with examples to help you assess your driving competence: X ATTENTION—focusing on changes in your driving environment X PROCESSING SPEED—ability to process information quickly and accurately X SPATIAL REASONING—how to follow directions and get where you need to go X PROBLEM-SOLVING SKILLS—how to calculate what time you should leave to arrive on time X MEMORY—how to remember where you are going. Cognitive decline can affect anyone on today's crowded roadways, even older drivers who are physically fit. Speaking of being physically fit, research has shown that exercise can stimulate nerve growth in the brain. That gives you another reason to keep in shape! Stay Sharp Our brains may be aging, but we can take action to help keep them sharp. Start by checking out the "Staying Sharp" resources on www.aarp.org. You can incorporate the six pillars of brain health into your daily life: 1. Be social 2. Engage your brain 3. Manage stress 4. Ongoing exercise 5. Restorative sleep 6. Eat right Even people with traumatic brain injury (TBI) may be able to return to driving. Between 40 and 60% of people with moderate to severe brain injuries do, sometimes with limitations. QUICK TIPS: ACTIVITIES THAT SHARPEN YOUR MIND VARIETY: Mastering a new skill gets easier with time and practice, so introduce some variety. By changing things up on a regular basis, your mind will have to work harder to adapt to the exercise or activity. CHALLENGE: Never let a task become too routine. Try new activities with increasing levels of challenge or difficulty. NOVELTY: Try new things! Very important parts of the brain, like the prefrontal cortex, are exercised when you learn to master new cognitive challenges. AARP DRIVER SAFETY 20 HOW DO WE NAVIGATE CHANGES? 2 1 2 3 4 5 6