Watching your parents age can bring so many concerns and questions. Are they safe? Can they keep up with household maintenance? How is their mental health? Among these concerns is another question: is it still safe for your parent to continue driving?
Often, vision impairment, slower reflexes, and cognitive decline can make driving dangerous, both for your aging loved ones and for other drivers on the road. This is a sensitive topic to bring up with your aging loved one. Driving enables independence, allowing seniors to attend events, appointments, and schedule their day without relying on others for transportation. It’s difficult to know when your parent’s driving skills decline to the point that they are no longer safe on the road. Here are a few signs to look for to see if you need to have a conversation about giving up the car keys:
- signaling incorrectly
- confusion at highway exits
- difficulty parking
- stopping inappropriately in traffic
- confusing the brake and gas pedals
- driving too fast or slow
- hitting curbs
- failing to notice stop signs or traffic lights
- reacting slowly to traffic situations
- getting lost in familiar places
- scrapes or dents on car, house, garage, etc.
If you notice several of these signs, it may be time to talk to your aging loved one. Since this is such a delicate topic, it’s important to approach it in a way that respects their dignity and autonomy. If you have a respectful and loving relationship that can stand difficult conversations, it is often best to tell your aging loved one how you feel directly. Emphasize that it is an issue of safety for other drivers and pedestrians, not only for themselves. If they are afraid of losing their independence, offer them alternative options: show them that they can still live the life they want while staying safe. Involving a professional, like a primary care physician or Aging Life Care Manager, can make it easier for your loved one to accept that they need to give up driving. A physician can provide a professional opinion, or in severe cases, write a letter to the DMV expressing their concern about the senior’s ability to drive. Care managers can help take the emotion out of the conversation by providing their professional opinion, arranging alternative transportation options, and providing support during the adjustment to their new way of life.
Reach out to Growing Options today for support with all your aging and caregiver needs.
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