Driving is an incredibly difficult topic to discuss with an elderly loved one. One important thing to remember is that you are not just talking about an elderly person’s driving. You are talking about their sense of independence and their sense of freedom. That is one of the reasons many elderly individuals do not want to give up their licenses. They understand, on some level, what it means for their independence. As most caregivers and family members understand, a lot of elderly individuals try to avoid feeling like a burden. They have spent the majority of their lives driving, and it is a very difficult thing for them to give up. It may bring up a lot of feelings of helplessness, anger, and sadness. This is an incredibly difficult subject to broach with an elderly loved one, but if you feel that their driving is unsafe, then it is your responsibility to sit down and talk with them. However, before you initiate that conversation, ensure that your elderly loved one’s driving is impaired.
You can look for some clues that their driving is changing:
• First, look at your elderly loved one’s car. Are there unusual or unaccounted for dents and scrapes?
• How does your loved one react when you ask about them? Can they explain what happened?
• Have they bumped into anything in your yard or neighborhood? Have they accidentally hit a mailbox? Usually, they will get into smaller accidents before they get into larger accidents.
• When you drive with your elderly loved one, are you at ease? How do you react? Do you feel the need to point out upcoming signs and stoplights?
• Watch their feet and reaction time when they drive. Do their feet naturally move between the brake and gas pedal? Do they seem to be reacting to things more slowly?
• How are other drivers reacting to them? Are they honking at them? Are other drivers comfortable around them?
• Lastly, have they recently received an increased amount of traffic violations?
If you feel that it is time to sit down and discuss driving with your elderly loved one, your family is your biggest resource. Involve your whole family, and talk to them before you approach your elderly loved one. There is no definite way to do it, as each situation is unique, but one of the most important things to do is approach it from a safety standpoint. Avoid the topic of age as much as possible, as your elderly loved one may become defensive. If you are a genuinely concerned for their safety, then they will understand that and be more open to discussing other options for mobility. Lastly, be compassionate. This is a big thing for them, and understanding that will make it easier for them to accept.
Monday, August 26, 2013
Friday, August 16, 2013
Aging and Driving: Why and how does aging affect driving?
Sadly, according to the CDC, the risk of being in a motor
vehicle accident increases with age, and this figure drastically increases when
an individual turns 65. This is especially evident in the senior population,
and it can be a serious problem for all drivers. There are several factors that
affect a senior’s driving. Some seniors are able to modify their driving habits
to address these issues, but being aware of these potential pitfalls is the
best way to prevent a motor vehicle accident. Do you know how and why driving
can be affected by age?
• The elderly experience declines in vision which can impact
their driving in several ways. Aside from the impact on their visual field and
perception, their depth perception can be impacted. All of this can create
blind-spots in a senior’s vision that can lead to accidents.
• Additionally, they can experience a general decline in
strength and flexibility. This can impact things such as their ability to turn
the steering wheel and their ability to coordinate their feet between the brake
and gas pedals.
• Seniors experience general cognitive declines that
influence reaction time and their ability to reason, both of which are crucial
to driving.
• The elderly can suffer from decreased hearing which will
impact their ability to hear horns and other cars.
• Furthermore, seniors are more likely to be on medications
that can have side effects such as dizziness, fatigue and confusion.
Being aware of these changes is one of the best ways to
prevent a motor vehicle related accident. In our next section, we will explore
different ways seniors can modify their driving. Here are some other resources
for individuals looking to learn more about how aging impacts driving.
Friday, August 2, 2013
Caregiving & Eldercare in the News
With the abundance of eldercare and caregiving news online, it’s easy to miss some of the most helpful articles. Are you up to date on your caregiving news? Have you heard all of the new health information regarding elder and senior care? Here are some of the articles we’ve been reading here at LTS.
Eldercare and Senior Health
Caregiving
Post in the comment section if you know of any articles we
missed!
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