Most older adults want to keep driving as long as possible. Without a car they fear losing their independence and fear they will become a burden on family and friends
Older drivers often drive safely well into their later years. They are careful drivers and have fewer accidents than younger people. However when an older person is involved in an accident it is likely to be serious. Car accidents are among the leading causes of death from injury for people over 65.
Age-related physical and mental changes affect driving ability:
- Cataracts and vision loss.
- Hearing loss.
- Slower reaction time.
- Loss of muscle strength and joint flexibility.
- Diabetes, arthritis, Parkinson's disease, stroke and other chronic illnesses.
- Medications that cause drowsiness or dizziness.
- Alzheimer's disease and other memory disorders.
You, other relatives and friends may notice changes in and older persons' driving skills:
- Driving below the speed limit.
- Failing to come to a full stop at stop signs.
- Other drivers honk at the older driver.
- Difficulty merging onto highways.
- Missing traffic signs and stop lights.
- Being overly anxious or careful.
There is never a good time to take away the car keys but for safety's sake you must convince the older person to stop driving. Discuss the situation with your relative's physician. Ask him or her to write a prescription to stop driving.
Rehabilitation centers, state bureau of motor vehicles, driving schools and hospitals offer driving evaluations for older people. Driving specialists will recommend adaptive equipment to compensate for physical impairments and teach new driving techniques. If the specialists determine that the person is no longer capable of driving safely they can recommend that the individual's physician have the license revoked.
If you your relative has Alzheimer's disease or other memory disorder and refuses to stop driving, ask a physician to write a "prescription" that says "Do not drive." Many older adults will follow "doctor's orders."
Offer variety of driving alternatives to meet your relative's transportation needs:
- Senior centers, churches, your local department of aging, and cities often offer free or low-cost transportation for older citizens.
- New drivers in the family can "chauffeur" older relatives to appointments or shopping.
- Ask friends or neighbors to provide rides occasionally.
- Commercial car or taxi services.
Talking with an older person about giving up the car keys is not easy for you or your parent. It is essential to the health and safety of your relative and other people that he or she give up the car keys if he or she can no longer drive safely.
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