For some older adults, one of the hardest parts of aging is giving up driving. Not being able to drive can make them feel like they’ve lost their independence. They may wonder how they’ll get to the grocery store, religious services, and to see friends and families. The adjustment can be difficult and may even cause family strife if giving up driving was suggested by family members. However, there are several ways to make the change easier for everyone. Below are some suggestions for helping your aging relative to adjust to life without driving.
Stick with the Regular Schedule
If the senior has a regular schedule of places they go, such as the grocery store on Tuesdays and card club on Fridays, find a way to help them continue to do those things according to their schedule. You may need to enlist the help of family members and friends to keep some of those planned outings. Senior care can also provide transportation to and from places like the grocery store. And, having a senior care provider with them can make such tasks easier and more pleasant. The senior care provider can help carry the heavy grocery bags and put groceries away.
Learn to Use Public Transportation
For an older adult that has never had to navigate the public transportation system, it can be a scary prospect. It can be helpful to have someone go with them the first couple of times they use the bus or a taxi. The first time you go, do all of the work of figuring out which bus to take or make the call to the taxi service. Next time, let the senior tell you which bus or stand by while they call for the taxi. Keep doing this until they feel safe and comfortable. Senior care can also help older adults learn to use public transportation.
Don’t Forget About Social Outings
It can be easy to forget about social outings when you’re thinking about the necessary places a person has to go. However, it’s important for seniors to be able to stay connected with their friends and the social activities they enjoy. Many seniors don’t like having to ask others for rides because it makes them feel like a burden. Consider calling friends who attend the same events as them and ask them if they can pick your relative up. Senior care providers can also take the older adult to their regular social gatherings.
If You Or An Aging Loved One Are Considering Hiring Senior Care in St. Petersburg, FL, Please Contact The Caring Staff At Assisting Hands Home Care Today! 727-748-4211.
Latest posts by Becky Moultrie (see all)
- Five Things You Should Know About In-Home Care - April 7, 2023
- Are There Healthy Alternatives to Caffeine for Seniors? - March 31, 2023
- Home Care Assistance Covers a Range of Services and Support - March 24, 2023
Becky Moultrie is Owner and Administrator of Assisting Hands Home Care Serving Pinellas. Guided by a motto to Do Good with Love, she’s well positioned to do just that at Assisting Hands. She has a passion for helping families keep seniors and those who are diabled happy and healthy at home. She serves on a number of boards in Pinellas County including the Pinellas Park Gateway Chamber and Better Living Seniors (BLS), leading the Membership Committee. Annually, she hosts a Silver Santa Party, collecting donations for nearly 100 low income seniors in the county. She attends Blessed Sacrament Church, Seminole where she is an Ascribed Member of the Rosminian Order. When not busy Doing Good in the community, Becky is at home with her husband David & their 4 children, tending to their beehives and digging in the garden.
