Fact 10. The Impact of ARD on Personal Safety and Life Expectancy
In the tangled web of ARD factors, personal safety emerges as an essential, yet often underestimated, consideration. The progressive nature of ARD can lead to increased vulnerability, risking the safety and well-being of those affected.
ARD can impair judgment, coordination, and the ability to perform everyday tasks. This can raise the risk of accidents, falls, or even getting lost – situations that can escalate to life-threatening emergencies. These incidents, seemingly unrelated to ARD, can nonetheless significantly impact life expectancy.
It’s not all doom and gloom, though. Preventative measures can drastically mitigate these risks. Home adjustments for safety, personal alarm systems, and supervision can all help ensure the safety of those with ARD. A safe environment can, in turn, prevent accidents and their potential life-threatening consequences, positively affecting life expectancy.
Beyond physical safety, there’s also the matter of self-care. ARD can compromise the ability to look after one’s health, such as forgetting to take medication or neglecting personal hygiene. Here too, support systems can make a world of difference, helping manage ARD more effectively, and potentially extending life expectancy. (10)
