Elder Care: Is Mom Or Dad Too Old To Drive?
Is your aging mother or father too old to drive? It's not really a matter of age, it's more a function of ability. Making that determination can be difficult emotionally.
A huge dilemma for many families is the moment when theyrealize that Mom or Dad should not be driving any longer. Driving represents independence, and many senior citizens will balk at the suggestion that they give up driving. Unfortunately, age and health problems may interfere with your parent's ability to be a safe driver. There are options for transportation that are available, and what is most important is the safety of your Mom or Dad as well as any passengers or pedestrians who may wind up being victims of an unfortunate situation.
As health concerns of senior citizens and natural limitations of aging progress, it does not always require the parent to stop driving, however it's important to recognize signals that extra vigilance is advised. Some of these may include:
- Multiple Medications. Some medications and/or combinations of meds may affect reflexes and alertness. Check with your parent's doctor or check the medication label. Especially when your parent may be taking several medications there could be interactions or side effects that could impair your parent's ability to drive.
- Eyesight limitations. As people age, their eyesight may change. In addition, some medical conditions may impair eyesight. Do you notice your parent having extra light sensitivity? Watery eyes, squinting, having trouble focusing? One common complaint of seniors is trouble seeing in the dark, or blurred vision. It's important to have your parent's eyes examined for peripheral vision - vehicles coming from the sides, or passing on the right or left could easily cause an accident if your senior parent does not see them.
- Hearing loss. As hearing decreases there could be potential risk of missing horns beeping or sirens blaring. If you notice mom or dad has the television very loud, that is a sign that you should consider having their hearing tested. Another test you can do is wait until they are sitting and not looking at you, call their name and see whether they respond. It's another component of driving safety.
- Slow reflexes and limited range of motion. Can your parent react in an emergency situation. Can they look over their shoulder to see traffic in a merge lane.
- Confusion or Forgetfulness. Have you noticed that your mother may be confused or flustered while driving? Is your father getting angry when you ask him whether he remembered to turn left?
- Problems with memory. Does your mother or father become lost at times? If you notice this happens more frequently it may be a concern to have evaluated by your parent's medical team.
No one wants to be the one who has to take the keys away from Mom or Dad, but in the long run, it may be the safest thing to do. Keep in mind, that aging doesn't have to be limiting. There are transportation services that can help your elderly parent be mobile and safe at the same time.
What other signs have you noticed? What caused you to worry about your parent driving? Do you feel there should be ongoing driver testing for seniors?
prn is a home health care provider located in the Pittsburgh metro area, specializing in elder health, home health care, in-home health services and long term care.