Encouraging your parents to stop driving can be an incredibly hard topic to bring up. However, they need to stop driving if they may put their own or others’ safety at risk. How do you know if your loved one should stop driving? Although age can be a good metric, some adults can drive well into their nineties, while others experience physical conditions that prevent them from driving like they used to. Some of these changes, such as cognitive decline and vision loss, are age-related changes.
Continue reading to learn more about the signs and symptoms you should look out for if you’re wondering if it’s time for your loved one to stop driving.
Ability to Drive
Driving skills are one of the easiest ways to tell if your loved one is still suitable for driving. You can sit in the passenger seat while they drive, especially when it’s at night or during peak hours. These driving conditions will be able to test their driving abilities to their full capacity.
Some of the questions you should ask yourself are:
- Is my loved one struggling to drive according to the posted speed limit?
- Are they struggling to stay in the lane without drifting?
- Do they pause too long at traffic lights?
- Do they mistake the gas pedal with the brake at times?
- Are they having difficulty with parking?
- Do they bump into things and ride up onto the curb?
If the answer to most of these questions is yes, you might need to bring up your concerns with your loved one and tell them what you observed. Be sure to frame it from a place of care and concern instead of criticism.
State of Mind
The next thing to consider is your loved one’s emotional state when driving. Do they appear to be very jittery and anxious? If so, they might hesitate for too long or go too fast at traffic lights, making it dangerous. If your loved one gets confused about directions, especially for familiar locations, it might be a sign of dementia. Lastly, road rage might be a sign of fear and stress when it comes to driving. If you frequently notice these emotions in your loved one, it might be best for them to stop driving.
Vision Issues
Many retired adults suffer from age-related changes, such as glaucoma. Glaucoma causes vision loss and makes it hard for drivers to drive as they miss objects on people on the road. Another common issue is macular generation. Macular degeneration makes it difficult for drivers to see pedestrians, traffic signals, and road signs. If so, they should stop driving.
Connections Transportation Service at Discovery Village At The Forum
Our Connections Transportation service at Discovery Village At The Forum sets us apart from other senior living communities in the area. Our drivers will provide our residents with reliable transportation so they can travel around the city without having to struggle with crowds or directions. Enjoying a day out shouldn’t be stressful, and our drivers will ensure our residents are safe and comfortable. To learn more about our senior living options and amenities, you can take a look at our website.
