How to Determine if Your Senior is Fit to Drive
By Ewa Frydel, Owner
Seniors are at risk of impaired driving abilities due to many factors that come with aging.
It is important for you, as a family or professional caregiver, to be on the lookout for signs that your senior in need is experiencing difficulty driving. They may have low vision, slower reflexes, cognitive decline, and hearing loss.
All of these health concerns make driving a concern.
Your senior has many years of experience driving, so bringing up the topic of their safety might be intimidating. It can’t be easy to suddenly tell someone in their golden years that they may no longer be fit to drive. This is especially true if your senior is living at home.
Typically, maintaining independence is the reason why they chose to age in place and driving is a part of that. Driving may also be a way for your senior to get out of the house without fear, supporting social engagement, health visits, and feelings of inclusion versus loneliness. However, your senior doesn’t need to suddenly stop driving.
Here are some tips that may help you bring up the topic of safe driving with your senior.
Tips for Seniors to Drive Safely
Get regular check-ups. Just as your aging parent needs to get checked up on by their doctor, their vehicle should also be looked at. Many manuals come with a schedule on when to get the vehicle checked out, but you can plan ahead and take more control.
Schedule regular visits to auto shops to ensure that all safety precautions are met. Back to your senior, they will need to get looked at regularly, too, specifically regarding their ability to drive. Doctors can check vision, hearing, and cognitive function.
Relearn. Many communities and Department of Motor Vehicle agencies offer refresher courses on driving for seniors. These courses are created to support your senior’s safety as well as maintain and build upon driving skills.
Stay up-to-date. Along with the driving refresher courses, your senior can learn about updated laws and regulations when it comes to driving. What we learned when we were teenagers has surely changed as much as land development changed and types of vehicles, such as diesel usage, electric vehicles, older models, and so on.
Be defensive. It’s always safest to practice defensive driving. If your senior is experiencing cognitive decline, they may not realize they’re being honked at because of a mistake they’re making, like being on the wrong side of the road or hugging the other lane. This can cause your senior to panic and make the wrong move.
When we are driving defensively, we remain cautious and alert. The key is to stay focused at all times and not allow our thoughts to wander. Doing so will help your senior loved one more aware of their reflexes and ability to predict when an obstacle is just ahead. If they have slower reflexes, being defensive and focused can support their safety.
Use alternative transportation. If your senior’s town has safe and excellent public transportation, that is easy to navigate and cost-effective, advise them to utilize this resource. However, not all towns have a safe alternative to transportation, so looking for someone who can provide this extra care for your senior might be a better option. Many communities offer a vanpool service to transport seniors to doctor’s visits. Hiring a caregiver can also be helpful when it comes to driving.
If you’re not sure that your senior should be driving, you can look out for particular signs and get them checked out by their doctor.
The most common signs that your senior loved one is struggling with driving are:
-Getting lost
-Trouble seeing vehicles or signs
-Receiving many traffic violations
-Failing to stop at red lights, slow at yellow, and go at green lights.
-Dents in the vehicle
To notice these signs more accurately, use your own precaution, but you may be able to take your senior on a test drive and determine for yourself. Or, make an appointment with their doctor to verify that driving is a safety risk.
Your senior may not have to refrain from driving altogether, but being proactive is the best measure.
Do not feel afraid to bring up the topic of driving with your elderly family member. Having discussions can allow you and your family to make informed decisions, maintain independence, and have peace of mind.
For more tips on determining if your senior is fit to drive, contact their doctor. You can also contact us for more resources or for information about transportation for seniors.
We’re here to help!
Legal Disclaimer
This blog provides general information and discussions about deciding if your elderly is able to drive and should not be construed as medical advice.
