5 Signs It's Time to Take Keys from an Elderly Driver
For a senior, living at home and being able to drive themselves anywhere they wish to go provides a sense of independence and a confidence boost. Meeting life’s demands on their own, not having to worry about bothering family for a ride to the doctor or the grocery store is an accomplishment a senior enjoys. But there comes a time when vision changes, hearing loss and delayed reaction times can make it unsafe for your parent(s) to drive safely.
Figuring out when it’s time to take the car keys from your parent(s) can be a tough decision, but knowing the signs that it’s time to do so keeps them and others safe. Here are five things to watch out for, and how Visiting Angels Gilroy® can help with transportation and other needs for senior home care in Gilroy, CA, Santa Clara County.
1. Your Loved One Has Alzheimer’s Disease or Another Form of Dementia
Being able to drive a vehicle safely means thinking clearly and reacting quickly. If your parent has Alzheimer’s disease or another form of dementia, they will likely struggle with:
- Sound judgment and decision-making, which can lead to making unsafe choices while behind the wheel
- Memory loss, which can lead to getting lost even on familiar routes, being unable to recognize road signs and forgetting traffic rules.
- Spatial awareness, which can cause difficulties with lane control or judging distance.
- Reaction times and coordination, which can cause accidents.
- Handling complex tasks, which can lead to distracted driving.
- Being unable to recognize danger, such as pedestrians or emergency vehicles.
2. Your Loved One Has Side Effects from Medications
If your parent takes a necessary prescription that makes them sleepy or slows their reaction time, and the medication must be taken, it would be unsafe for your parent to drive.
3. Your Loved One Is Experiencing Vision or Hearing Loss
Age-related vision problems such as cataracts and macular degeneration can affect driving, especially at night. If your mom or dad has trouble hearing you when you speak to them, or cues from other drivers while out on the road, they might miss signs to slow down and end up causing an accident.
4. Your Loved One Has Experienced Too Many ‘Close Calls’
Being involved in an accident or a near accident is a sure sign you need to consider whether your parent is safe to drive. Some less obvious signs include:
- Getting lost on a route they drive often
- Receiving traffic tickets
- Not being able to read road signs
- Not being able to hear sirens
- Unexplained damage to their vehicle
- Unexplained damage to items around where they park (like a dented garbage can)
5. Your Loved One Has Experienced a Decline in Physical or Mental Wellbeing
Aging can bring changes in physical and mental health. Some changes that can make your parent unsafe while driving include: memory lapses, leg pain or stiffness, dizziness, slow coordination and anger or agitation that’s out of character for them.
What Are California’s Driving Rules for Seniors?
California wants older drivers to keep their independence for as long as possible, while also ensuring personal safety, as well as the safety of others on the road. California Department of Motor Vehicles rules for seniors include:
- Renewing licenses in person if you’re 70 or older, and passing a vision and written test.
- Investigating unsafe driving reports from family members or other concerned individuals.
- Having a doctor’s report of a diagnosis of a form of dementia.
Based on test results, NOLO says the DMV may restrict older drivers from driving on the freeway, during rush hour or at night.
If you’re concerned that driving puts your parent or others at risk, getting a professional opinion from their primary care physician may help soften a difficult conversation. If you’re met with intense resistance, you may confidentially report a concern to the DMV, provide reasons and examples to support your concern(s), their driver’s license number, address, and date of birth and request a review of your loved one’s driving privileges.
How Visiting Angels Help with Transportation for Seniors
If it’s time for your parent to stop driving, there are other options to get them safely where they need to go. Visiting Angels offers non-medical personal care for seniors in Gilroy, CA, and Santa Clara County. This service is customized to your loved one’s needs, including transportation to medical appointments, the pharmacy, the grocery store and more.
We choose our caregivers based on their experience, compassionate nature and true commitment to caregiving, and we only hire those who we would want in our own homes, caring for a member of our family.
Our goal is to help your loved one live at home for as long as possible or receive one-on-one supplemental care if they are in a facility and enjoy the independence that this arrangement provides. If you’re ready to learn more about our senior personal care services, call us at 408-846-2988 or email dorie@visitingangels.com to discuss how our team can help with transportation needs. We look forward to meeting you and your family and discussing how our team can help.