When Is it Time for Your Senior to Reconsider Driving?
March 9, 2022
Have you been wondering how well your senior is doing behind the wheel? This is a common concern for family caregivers around their seniors when driving is still on the table. It’s important to get a full picture of what’s going on with your elderly family member if she is still driving so that you can help her to have the right assistance when she needs it the most.
She’s Having Cognitive Challenges
Cognitive changes mean that your senior may not be able to keep up with all of the challenges of driving. There’s a lot involved in driving, from making decisions about routes to take to being able to respond quickly to changing conditions. Some of these cognitive changes may be a result of health issues or side effects from medications.
Or Mobility Concerns
If your elderly family member is having issues with mobility, that can impact her ability to continue to drive. Not being able to move her body properly in order to look over her shoulder, handle the steering, or move her legs could require modifications to the car. In extreme cases, however, these issues may mean that driving is just not a great idea.
Vision Issues Are a Big Sign
Changes to her vision seriously impact your senior’s safety behind the wheel. If she hasn’t been to the eye doctor in a while, it is worth making an appointment to determine exactly what’s going on with her vision. It’s also possible that she needs to make some concessions about when she drives. For instance, night blindness may keep her from driving when conditions are too dark. Having help from senior care at home when her vision is an issue can make a huge difference for her.
Other People Refuse to Ride with Her
Your elderly family member may be in denial about her own driving, but that doesn’t mean that other people share her viewpoint. If she’s finding that other people refuse to get in the car with her if she’s driving, that says something. Getting an answer from a neutral third party may be helpful if this is something your senior is encountering. Working with a driving evaluator helps your senior to see exactly where she’s experienced changes in her ability to drive.
She’s Had Some Official Problems with Driving
Finally, if your elderly family member is officially having some significant trouble driving, that’s a problem. This means that she’s been in accidents or that she’s been pulled over frequently. It can also mean that she’s been in near misses, where she almost got into serious trouble while she was driving. These are vital to pay attention to and to respond to appropriately.
You never want to leave your senior in a position where she feels you’re taking something away from her without providing her other options. Senior care at home can take over the driving for your senior, keeping her safe and mobile. Elder care can offer help in other ways, too, keeping your senior safe and comfortable at home.
If you or your loved one is looking for Senior Care at Home in Belmont, CA, please call Familiar Surroundings Home Care.
Santa Clara County: (408) 979-9990
San Mateo County: (650) 353-9777
Santa Cruz County: (831) 480-3990