Article - A Driving Dilemma

In most suburban and rural communities, driving a car is essential for meeting our everyday needs. Getting groceries, going to the doctor and meeting up with friends all require transportation. For that reason, we all worry about the day that we might need to give up our keys and stop driving. It is hard enough to make that decision for yourself, but the situation becomes more delicate when you are faced with a loved one who may be reaching this point and doesn't realize or is unwilling to accept it. Is there anything that can be done to help our loved ones drive more safely before asking them to give up their keys?

The staff at Dynamic-Living.com has researched this issue and has a few suggestions and resources that may help at this difficult time:

Assess the situation carefully: A person's age or medical condition does not determine that someone should stop driving. Driving safely requires a number of skills that can be assessed objectively.

• Driver evaluation programs measure basic skills that are necessary for safe driving such as vision, perception, thinking, motor function and reaction time. The evaluation may include driving simulations, road driving tests, medical history review, analysis of medications, etc. These programs are available through:

  • some hospitals

  • some driving schools

  • the American Automobile Association (AAA) Foundation

  • the American Occupational Therapy Association and the Association for Driver Evaluation Specialists also has an index of driver rehabilitation specialist, listed by state.

• If you are unable to find a professional organization to help you determine your loved one's capabilities and you decide to do it yourself, try to remain as objective as possible. It is important to keep you loved one's driving and medical history in mind, but don't let history sway you without further analyzing the situation.

  • The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration maintains a very good website to help you with this evaluation: Driving Safely While Aging Gracefully

  • The AAA Foundation website http://www.seniordrivers.org contains excellent information and tips for driving more safely and finding alternative modes of transportation in your area. Additionally, the AAA Foundation publishes the Drivers 55 Plus: Self-Rating Form which can help your loved-one to assess their own driving.

Review the results: If the outcome of the assessment is not good, consider whether anything can be done to alleviate the problems that have been observed.

• Driver's education for seniors has become an increasingly popular and available method of improving driving in the elderly. These courses often focus not only on refreshing knowledge of road rules and safety, but also on normal age-related changes and how driving styles and practices can be adjusted to allow for these changes. Contact your local driving schools, senior centers, or the nearest AAA office to find what is available in your area.

• Review all medications with a doctor. You have probably noticed medications that are labeled "do not operate heavy equipment while taking this medication." Even without these labels, medicines or combinations of medications might cause blurriness or confusion. Switching to a different medication may improve reaction time.

• Cars can be adapted to meet a variety of physical disabilities. AAA, AOTA (American Occupational Therapy Association and AARP have joined together to offer the CarFit Program, an educational program that offers older adults the opportunity to check how well their personal vehicles "fit" them. Some car adaptations to consider:

  • An oversized rear view mirror may help eliminate blind spots.

  • A swivel seat that rotates to make it easier to get into and out of the car.

  • A seat belt shoulder pad or a seat belt extension to make the seat belt more comfortable.

• The CarFit Program also provides information and materials on community-specific resources that could enhance their safety as drivers, and/or increase their mobility in the community. Look on their website for an event near you.

When the time has come: If you do find that your loved one must stop driving, think about how you would feel in the same situation. Before you engage in the conversation, understand that there may be some concerns to overcome.

• If possible, try to persuade your loved one to give up their keys voluntarily. Involve them in discussions about driving, driving safety and how they feel their aging may be affecting their driving.

• Help them maintain their independence by looking into the alternative modes of transportation available in their area such as mass-transit, service vans, carpools, and volunteer companion drivers. Your local Area Agency on Aging, religious organizations or AAA may have brochures that outline these resources. Talk together about how it would be possible to get rides to favorite events, appointments and shopping. Take time to brainstorm the options so there are a variety of options for them to choose from.

Judy M. Romano, MS, OTR/L and Driver Evaluation Specialist says:

• Start the conversation about driving early, before any issues occur, just like we do with retirement planning for financial matters.

• Schedule an eye appointment. Ask the eye professional if the client's vision meets the requirements for driving in your state. Have them document it.

• Every town has a police safety officer. They are often receptive to observing the vehicle of a driver who may be impaired and driving in their jurisdiction.

• If you can get an MD involved, have them write a prescription, ie "No Driving" rather than just stating it verbally.

• When addressing the need for alternative transportation arrangements, be sure to regard social visits and family get togethers as important trips, not just doctor's visits.

As we get older so many things change in our lives. Sometimes it is difficult to imagine how much this one simple thing, driving, can change our outlook on independence and personal freedom. Without a car, a person may feel that they are no longer able to direct their own life. You may be able to help your loved one maintain their ability to drive by altering some of the mitigating factors, but then again, you may not. At least you will be sure that you tried everything you could to get them "on the road again".

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