When is it Time for Seniors to Stop Driving? Care Service Experts Weigh in

Seniors often say driving is one of the biggest freedoms that they can have when they get older. Getting around to doctor appointments, visiting grandchildren and going shopping for their favorite foods are just a few of the things seniors count on their vehicles for. But according to the National Institutes of Health, physical frailty and cognitive limitations have negative effects on [seniors] safety when driving. Because of this, care services experts recommend keeping a close eye on certain health issues, factors, and signs that a senior might be getting to the point where they should no longer be on the road behind the wheel of a car. If you or a loved one is getting older and wondering if they’re still safe to drive, keep some of these ideas in mind.

Frequent eye exams are crucial

It goes without saying, but if a senior has poor eyesight, they are going to have a difficult time driving themselves around without risking their safety. Doctors normally suggest getting your eyes checked every year, but for seniors, it’s important to get your eyes checked even more often. If a doctor notices that you are starting to lose your eyesight, they will order tests to further examine what’s going on. Depending on the severity of the eyesight loss, a wide variety of outcomes are possible, including losing the ability to drive. Many care services companies offer transportation services for the seniors in their care to help preserve a sense of independence that a vehicle often provides for the elderly.

Certain medications can make it harder to drive

Many medications have side effects that can alter your ability to drive, including lightheadedness and drowsiness. These medications usually have a warning on the label telling patients that it can affect their driving. If you or a loved one takes several medications, care services experts suggest doing a complete inventory, and if too many of their medications are causing adverse side effects, it might be time to think about a time to stop driving.

In addition to paying attention to health issues, it’s important to pay attention to what’s happening on the road. If any of these bullets are happening more often when you’re driving, it might be time to talk to your doctor about getting off the road, according to care services experts.

• Drivers frequently honk at you out of nowhere
• You are getting more and more distracted on the road
• You get mixed up when trying to put on the brakes or accelerate
• You are getting lost, even on routes that you’ve driven many times before
• Your family, friends or caretakers have expressed their concerns with you on the road
• You’re finding yourself more tired on the road