Is Your Aging Parent Safe To Drive – How To Know
This is a picture of an older adult loving at his car side view mirror.
If you suspect an elderly parent isn’t driving as well as he used to, there are actions you can take to help.
Some older people can drive safely in their 80s and even early 90s, but many seniors develop hearing, vision and other problems that impair their ability to drive safely. Loss of the ability to drive can isolate the elderly, leading to poor nutrition, health problems and depression.
Determining your parents’ driving ability is the first step toward helping them maintain their independence–and their health.
How to assess your aging parent’s driving skills
“There are a number of things you can look for when deciding whether your parent needs to have a professional driving assessment,” says Patrick Baker of the Cleveland Clinic Driver Rehabilitation Program.
He suggests you take a ride with your parent and allow him or her to drive you to the supermarket or other common destination. During the trip, observe whether your loved one can:
- Decide on a route to the destination
- Get back home by an alternate route
- Recognize and observe street signs and signals
- Change lanes safely by first signaling other drivers“Remember, just because mom has a different driving style doesn’t mean she’s a bad or unsafe driver,” says Mr. Baker. He said some adult children complain that their parent is a slow driver, or that dad chooses to use a route that allows him to avoid freeways, making the trip longer.This is actually a type of self-monitoring, which shows that your loved one is aware of personal limitations and is self-restricting as a precaution, he says.
If you notice that your parent is having trouble handling things at home, such as preparing a meal with three or four courses, or other multi-step tasks, he or she may also have trouble handling more complex driving situations.
Tips for safer elderly driving
Here are some common restrictions that can help elderly drivers:
- Avoid night driving. Because of cataracts and other vision impairments, many seniors have trouble with night driving and should restrict driving from dusk to dawn. If cataracts cause the problem, simply having them removed could eliminate the need for this restriction.
- Avoid freeway or interstate driving. The heavier, fast-moving traffic can cause anxiety and confusion in many elderly drivers. If this is the case, show mom or dad alternative routes that use slower roadways.
- Avoid weekend driving. More people are out on the roads during weekends, making roads and parking areas more congested. This makes it harder for seniors to navigate crowded parking lots where people are milling around, and crossing to and from their cars.
Click here to view original web page at health.clevelandclinic.org
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