Talking to an Aging Loved One About Driving

There are many topics to approach when caring for an aging loved one, such as care and housing options. But one issue that often gets overlooked is driving. Since the body changes with age, older drivers may experience driving barriers as they get older. Common age-related challenges include vision changes, arthritis, dementia, and decreased reaction times, all of which can put drivers at risk on the road.

If you’re worried about your loved one’s safety while driving, it may be time to talk to them about safe driving habits and whether it’s appropriate for them to continue driving. Consider these tips to help you navigate a conversation. 

Explain your concerns and the dangers of driving 

Start the conversation by acknowledging that your loved one is getting older. The safety of older drivers is a national concern, but don’t assume your loved one is aware that age-related changes may affect their driving. Because of vision or cognitive changes, they may experience difficulties on the road if they haven’t already. 

Try to be direct and specific about your concerns. Was your loved one in a recent traffic accident caused by their inability to see or lack of attention? Were they recently diagnosed with dementia or another cognitive decline disorder that affects their driving abilities? Do they have arthritis that makes it difficult to steer the car? Whatever the concern, be specific and explain how it can affect their safety and the safety of other drivers. 

Try to empathize with their situation 

Cullman is not a large, easily walkable city, and there aren’t many public transportation options. Getting around town, running errands, and seeing friends is difficult without a car. Many older adults are reluctant to give up driving because they feel it’s taking away some of their independence. They think that without a car, they can’t leave their home as freely and might worry about feeling alone or secluded from the rest of the community.

Try to be empathetic toward your loved one and understand how it would feel if you could no longer drive. What fears or concerns would you have if you no longer had an easy way to leave your home and interact within your community? How would you feel if you had to rely on others to take you places or depend on someone else to run errands?

Come up with a plan together

There’s no perfect solution to whether it’s safe for a loved one to continue driving, but whatever the next steps are, you must decide with your loved one. Instead of determining whether your loved one can drive, come up with options and discuss them to find the best solution.

The two of you might decide that your loved one should no longer drive, and you set up a ride-share app on their phone or help them schedule grocery deliveries online. Maybe you encourage your loved one to retake a driving test to ensure it’s still safe for them to drive. Or perhaps the two of you agree that your loved one may only drive during the day when they can see best. 

Whatever the solution, decide it together. Keeping your loved one in the decision-making process keeps them in control of their lives, making them more willing to follow the plan. 

How Visiting Angels can help

If your aging loved one can no longer drive safely and needs assistance getting around town, the team at Visiting Angels is happy to help. Our caregivers provide transportation to doctor’s appointments and can assist clients with trips to the grocery store, pharmacy, or other outings to ensure they’re safe on the road. In addition to transportation services, caregivers can help with light housekeeping, meal preparations, medication reminders, personal grooming, mobility, and more. 

Our locally owned and operated Cullman office works with seniors throughout Cullman, Etowah, Walker, Marshall, and Blount counties. You can learn more about our services by calling 256.734.6600 or sending us a message.