SENIORS & DRIVING: HELPING A LOVE ONE STAY SAFE

As we grow older, maintaining independence is important. Many older adults want to continue driving for as long as possible. But how can a person tell when it is no longer safe to drive? How can you talk to a senior whose driving concerns you? These tips can help.

Age alone does not tell you who should or should not drive.

1. Many healthy older adults can drive safely. But because some age-related conditions do affect driving, seniors need to evaluate their driving skills regularly.
2. Many older adults will decide to stop driving when they notice changes.
3. If you need to discuss driving with a loved one, bring up the subject in a caring & supportive manner. Remember that the decision to stop driving will be life-changing.

Signs that indicate unsafe driving.

• Having “close calls” or accidents.
• People honking.
• Difficulty staying in the lane.
• Difficulty judging distances.
• Driving too slowly.
• Confusion about directions in familiar places.
• Accidentally hitting the gas pedal instead of the brake.
• Getting frequent tickets or warnings.

If you are not sure about a senior’s driving, offer to be a passenger on a few errands.

1. If you see indications of unsafe driving, talk to the driver. Say, “know you enjoy driving, but I am concerned about your safety & the safety of others.”
2. Be respectful. Talk about what you saw in a non-judgmental manner.
3. Watch for openings in the conversation. For example, “Yes, that was close. Was it hard to see that sign?”

If your loved one shouldn’t drive—but still is—what can you do?

1. Give specific driving details to the person’s doctor. Ask the doctor to discuss driving at the next visit.
2. Call your state Department of Motor Vehicles. Ask about driving evaluations for seniors.
3. As a last resort, family members or caregivers may need to disable the car or “lose” the keys.

When a person can no longer drive….he or she will need alternative transportation.

1. Ask family members or friends to provide rides.
2. Contact local public transportation about special services for people with limited mobility.

After a serious accident, it’s easy to say a person shouldn’t be driving. But assessing driving ability before an accident can help make the roads safer for everyone. You can get more information by talking with your health care provider or visiting :

www.aarp.org/drive

www.seniordrivers.org

Ed Picard, Respite Center Coordinator

Charlie’s Place/Alzheimer’s Services of the Capital Area