It’s normal for our cognitive and physical abilities to change as we age. Since safe driving relies on both, it is important to know how to assess your senior’s ability and what to do when it becomes unsafe.Know the Signs
Aging can affect vision, hearing and motor reflexes. A senior’s strength, coordination and flexibility can also experience changes which can impact the ability to safely operate a car. If you observe - or your loved one mentions - physical ailments such as a stiff neck, leg pain or diminished arm strength, it may mean that their reaction times and attention behind the wheel are unsafely compromised.
It’s always a good idea to take a ride with your senior to observe their driving ability first-hand. If this is not possible, take a look at the car to inspect its physical condition. Dents and scrapes on the body or tire rims can be indicative of increasing ‘close call’ situations (near crashes) happening while behind the wheel.
It’s important to know if your loved one has increasingly received citations or traffic tickets by law enforcement. Not only is this another warning sign of their declining driving ability, but it may also put their license at risk of suspension and their insurance costs at risk of substantial increases.
What You Can Do
Seniors undoubtedly view driving as a symbol of their independence and this may make it difficult to just take away their keys.If it's time for a conversation, remember to be empathetic to their need for independence but firm about the need for safety.
Rather than stating generalizations such as “you don’t drive safely anymore”, cite tangible examples of poor driving that you’ve observed. Talk about the underlying reasons this may be happening such as a physical or medical condition that the senior acknowledges exists.
After driving for many decades, your loved one may not realize there are alternative ways to get places. Offer help in navigating the options and resources that are often available to seniors for transportation to daily activities such as doctor visits.
Sometimes, these difficult conversations are easier when you have them with several family members or care providers present. This approach lends credibility to your collective observations and also helps your loved one see that everyone is concerned.