[Practical review of driving in older patient: from theory to practice]. / La conduite chez la personne âgée, de la théorie à la pratique.

As the French population is ageing, the number of older people on the road is increasing all the time. For many older adults, this everyday activity remains an important way of maintaining their independence. Putting this right into question on the sole basis of age can be seen as a particularly stigmatising measure. However, this population is particularly vulnerable on the road. While behavioural factors are frequently involved in young adults, driving errors seem to be more frequently the main mechanism in older people. Driving is a succession of complex tasks that can be affected by ageing and the presence of pathologies (cognitive decline, sensory deficiencies or cardiovascular conditions that have not stabilised, etc.). As these medical conditions increase with age, it is important that healthcare professionals identify high-risk situations. When it is required, the professionals should assist patients to stop driving and find alternatives. Maintaining the mobility and ensure safety for older adults on the road remain challenging for the community. In this article, we discuss the issues surrounding the maintenance of driving in older adults. We also discuss the appropriate way to help patients stop driving when necessary.

[Presbyphagia and swallowing disorders]. / Presbyphagie et troubles de la déglutition.

Swallowing disorders, which are frequent in geriatrics, are linked to multiple pathologies: cancer, stroke, neurocognitive disorders, acute confusion, vigilance disorders, etc. They can have serious consequences and therefore require special care. From the identification of the disorders by the doctor, the nurse, the caregiver, to the speech therapy assessment, through the adaptation of the diet by the dietician, the management of swallowing disorders concerns all the medical and paramedical staff. The aim of this article is to present the main existing recommendations to promote the patient's feeding despite the presence of these disorders.