Driving should never be taken lightly. It is extremely important that seniors continue to drive safely and that they know when it is time to stop.
It is important to make sure that seniors are safe and out of harm’s way. Here are some common signs that your senior should stop driving.
1. More Fender-Benders Than Normal
If your elderly loved one is having more fender-benders than they have had in the past, then it would be a good idea for them to stop driving while they try and figure out what is going on. They may need to see a doctor that will make sure they do not have a medical problem that is causing their accidents.
2. Failing Eyesight
Glaucoma, cataracts, and macular degeneration are all common eye ailments that can affect a driver’s vision. These conditions will lead to reduced eyesight, which means that a driver may have trouble seeing other drivers or pedestrians on the road. If your senior is having difficulty seeing while driving, then it is important that they stop driving immediately. It is also a good idea to consider starting in-home care if you suspect that your senior is having trouble seeing while driving.
3. Failing Hearing
Seniors with hearing loss may not hear horns or sirens from emergency vehicles. They may not hear drivers honking at them and they may not hear their own car horn if it were to go off unexpectedly. This can lead to dangerous situations on the road and can cause accidents or other issues for them as well as other drivers on the road with them.
4. Failing Reflexes
If your senior has any type of health issue that would lead to slower reflexes and reaction times while driving, then they should get their health condition checked out by a doctor immediately so that they can find out what their options are for dealing with it.
5. Mental Decline
If your senior has any type of mental health issue that affects their ability to drive safely and/or their ability to make good decisions while driving, then they should stop driving and start in-home care immediately. Dementia is one of the most common mental conditions that affect seniors’ ability to safely drive a car or truck. Alzheimer’s disease is a form of dementia that causes people to lose their memory and cognitive abilities over time.
Conclusion
If you have a senior in your life who is having any of the symptoms above while driving, then it is important to talk to them about possibly hanging up the keys. They may not be aware that they are having these issues while driving. Listen to what your senior has to say. If they tell you that they know they shouldn’t be driving and think it’s dangerous for them to continue, encourage them to stop trying to drive for their own and others’ safety. In-home care can be there to offer transportation for your senior parent, as well as companionship to and from where they need to go.
It is difficult for a senior to stop driving. It may bring up deep-seated fears about the loss of independence. But safety comes first- if your senior exhibits any of the five signs above, they should stop driving immediately.
If you or an aging loved one are considering in-home care in Newton, MA, please contact the caring staff at PlatinumCare + today. Call (617) 237-0867
PlatinumCare + was born out of the desire and passion to provide the very best home health care possible in Brookline, Dover, Newton, Needham, Watertown, Weston, Cambridge, Lincoln, Sudbury, Belmont, Boston MA, and surrounding areas.
All with decades of experience, Tim in IT Operations, Support, and Management, Brenda in Client Relations, Healthcare Services & Sales Management, and Anne in Healthcare as a Nurse Practitioner combined their skills to form what is now PlatinumCare +.
As immigrants to the US, all came from backgrounds where Healthcare for aging parents was a responsibility of the immediate family and the entire community. Aging, sick, or terminal community members were cared for physically, emotionally, and financially by family, friends, including strangers! This community approach, Healthcare with a difference, delivered with the utmost love, care, sacrifice, and passion, forms the basis of how PlatinumCare + grounds itself.
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