Talk to a Parent about Quitting Driving- Houston Assisted Living

Driving can be a sensitive subject for adult children to discuss with elderly parents. Driving is linked to independence so many seniors do not want to quit doing it. But, aging brings very real physical changes to us that make driving difficult. Everyone ages differently, so this alone cannot be the only factor when it is time for an older adult to stop driving.

How to Talk to Your Loved One About Driving

Older drivers face many challenges. These develop due to slower reaction times and diminished flexibility. Research has shown that fatal accidents start climbing when seniors reach the age of 75. They rise sharply at age 80.

Are you concerned about a senior loved one’s driving? First, it is helpful to evaluate their skills. Then you can begin a discussion about giving up driving.

How to Evaluate An Older Person’s Driving Fitness

Inspect the Vehicle

This is one of the easiest and quickest ways to evaluate how safe a senior is able to drive. If the car looks like it is in good shape, that is a good sign. If the bumpers, doors or side mirrors have scratches or dents, that is a problem. These types of dents may indicate that the older driver is having problems avoiding hitting garage doors or curbs.

Ride Along As A Passenger

One option for assessing a senior loved one’s safety is to ride along with them. Do this a few times and make sure one of the trips is after dark. Make sure another trip is during the height of traffic. Evaluate whether they seem nervous or if they seem confident. If they seem too confident that may be a problem. If their driving reflects uncertainty, that is a problem, too.

Are they able to look over their shoulders when they change lanes and merge onto a freeway? Are they adhering to the speed limit? Remember, that driving too slow is as dangerous as driving fast. Make mental notes of any problems and then write them down later so you can share them if necessary.

Evaluation Tool

AAA as a foundation for traffic safety that has created a self-evaluation tool that is helpful for adults over the age of 65. It tests the senior safety and fitness for driving. It also offers suggestions for them so that they can improve their driving skills. Once you objectively evaluate your loved one and decide that they are not capable of being safe behind the wheel start thinking about discussing the situation.

Develop a solid plan for having this conversation. Offer options for transportation. Never make an overt demand for them to hand over the keys.

Tips to Talking with the Senior about Giving Up Driving

Discuss How They Feel

Start the conversation by asking how they feel about driving. Are they truly confident and comfortable when they are behind the wheel? You might be surprised to find out that they are not.

They may feel that they have no other choice but to keep driving. Many seniors are reluctant to talk about this because they do not want to be a burden to their family, their friends or their neighbors.

Ask About Medication Side Effects

Talk with them about any of the side effects that they may be having from medications that they take. Reassure them that some of those side effects could be impacting their driving, necessitating that they give driving. More than 75 percent of seniors take one or more medications every day, according to research. A third of these medications, with some serious side effects, including drowsiness.

Transportation Options

Develop a list of transportation options. As long as they can see that there are options, they may be more willing to give up driving. This is true especially if those options allow them to maintain their independence and stay home.

Call the area agency on aging. Most communities offer affordable transportation programs for seniors.

Share Your Concerns

If your loved one insists that they are still good at driving, you need to communicate gently why you disagree. Remember that they want to be independent, but you want them to be safe. Gently explain specifically why they need to give up the keys.

For more information on the senior care services we provide, please feel free to give us a call or contact Assisting Hands Houston today! Visit our blog for more related articles.