A new scratch on the bumper or avoiding activities, which require leaving home, often are the first signs families should talk with their aging parents about driving.
A new survey by Home Instead Inc., providing in-home care services to seniors, found 95 percent of surveyed seniors have not talked to their loved ones about driving, though nearly one-third (31 percent) said a recommendation from family or friends they transition from driving would make them reconsider driving.
“As adults, we don’t hesitate to talk to our teenage children about driving, but when we need to address concerns with our own parents, we drop the ball,” said Elin Schold Davis, occupational therapist and project coordinator for the Older Drive Initiative of the American Occupational Therapy Association. “We know discussing driving with aging loved ones reduces their discomfort around limiting or stopping their driving. Often, families just need to know how to start the dialogue.”
For many seniors, the idea of giving up driving sparks feelings of anger, anxiety and loneliness. To help families navigate these sensitive conversations about driving cessation, the Home Instead Senior Care network has launched a new public education program, Let’s Talk About Driving, available at LetsTalkAboutDriving.com.
The program offers free resources and tips to help families build a roadmap, together with their senior loved one, for limiting or stopping driving when the time is right. These resources include an interactive Safe Driving Planner to help families assess their senior loved one’s driving habits and provide tools to help older adults drive safely. In addition, the planner offers options for driving reduction or cessation, while also identifying alternative transportation options.
Nearly 90 percent of aging adults rely on their cars and driving to stay independent, according to the survey. Though many seniors 70 and older are able to drive safely into their later years, it is critical for families to have a plan in place before a medical or cognitive condition makes it no longer safe for their senior loved one to drive.
“Physical and cognitive changes, such as those caused by Alzheimer’s disease, changes in vision or medication usage, can put older adults in jeopardy on the road,” stated Elin. “Many drivers can continue to drive safely as they get older, but it’s important for families to work with their loved ones to create a roadmap that explores new technologies and solutions, while planning ahead. The solution may not be to stop driving completely, but could include adding senior-friendly safety features to the car or taking a safety class.”
Family caregivers can look for several potential warning signs their senior may be losing the confidence or ability to drive, such as unexplained dents, trouble turning to see when backing up, increased agitation while driving, and riding the brake.
10 Warning Signs Seniors May Be Unsafe Drivers
- Mysterious dents. If an older adult can’t explain what happened to his car, or you notice multiple instances of damage, further investigation is needed to understand if there has been a change in the senior’s driving abilities.
- Trouble turning to see when backing up. Aging may compromise mobility and impact important movements needed to drive safely. Fortunately, newer vehicles offer backup cameras and assistive technologies, which can help older adults continue to drive safely.
- Confusing the gas and brake pedals. Dementia can lead to confusion about how his car operates.
- Increased irritation and agitation when driving. Poor health or chronic pain can trigger increased agitation, which may, in turn, lead to poor judgment on the road.
- Bad calls on left-hand turns. Turning left can be tricky and dangerous for older drivers, and many accidents occur where there is an unprotected left turn (no turning arrow).
- Parking gone awry. Difficulty parking, including parallel parking, could cause damage to an older adult’s vehicle, as well as to those around it.
- Difficulty staying within the lanes. If you’ve spotted a driver zigzagging along the road, it could be a sign fatigue or vision problems are making it difficult to stay on course.
- Delayed reaction and response time. Aging slows response times, which may create a situation where an older adult may cause an accident or be unable to respond quickly enough to prevent a crash.
- Driving the wrong speed. Driving too fast or too slow may be indicators a driver’s judgment may be impaired.
- Riding the brake. Riding the brake could be a sign a driver no longer has confidence in his skills.
To access the Safe Driving Planner, or to view other program resources and tips, visit LetsTalkAboutDriving.com. You also can contact your local Home Instead Senior Care office at (480) 827-4343 to learn how family caregivers can help seniors plan ahead for driving cessation. To find an office near you, visit homeinstead.com/state/.