Your elderly family member is going to have to consider not driving at some point. That’s a decision she isn’t going to take lightly and it’s one that you shouldn’t, either. Benching your senior in terms of driving on her own is something that you should do if she’s unsafe behind the wheel, so it’s vital that you get a handle on when she’s reaching that point.
Have a Conversation with Your Senior’s Doctor
It’s really important to understand from your senior’s doctor about what could indicate that she shouldn’t be driving any longer. Understanding how your senior’s health affects her driving skills gives you a rubric you can use going forward. Some health issues may have little impact on your elderly family member’s ability to keep driving while other can be make or break issues.
Start to Keep Track of What’s Happening
In order to truly see what’s happening, you have to start tracking some details. You might want to observe your senior’s behaviors in a variety of situations, including behind the wheel, and keep a log of what you’re noticing. Sometimes those changes are subtle and need multiple observations in order to understand the path they’re taking. When you’ve got a log, you’ve got data you can refer back to when you need to do so.
See What’s Legally Accurate
There’s a lot about this situation that hinges on how your senior feels and on what her doctor indicates could be problematic. But the really important tools might be the driving laws in your senior’s state. She may not be able to continue to drive if she has specific medical issues, like a seizure, or if her eyesight worsens to a measurable point. There may be a point at which your senior has no choice but to stop driving.
Consider Talking to a Professional
Driving professionals are an excellent resource for both you and your senior at this point. A professional driving evaluation gets your senior detailed information about what she’s doing behind the wheel right now. If she’s unsafe, her driving evaluation will reflect that fact. This can help to remove emotion from the decision, if that’s what your senior is concerned about.
Start thinking now about solutions for your senior’s transportation concerns. Working with senior care providers is a fantastic option because they can help with so many other tasks, too, and you’ll know that she’s in good hands while she is out and about.
If you are considering senior care in West Houston, TX, for an aging loved one, please call the caring staff at At Your Side Home Care. We will answer all of your senior care questions. Call today: (832) 271-1600.
Our Certified Nurse Aides, 24-Hour Live-in Assistants and Home Health Aides are available 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. We also provide the security and confidence of 24-hour Telephone Assistance, so fast, reliable help is always available when it's needed. To learn more about our homecare services see our homecare services page.
Different people need different levels of homecare. To meet the requirements of our clients, At Your Side Homecare maintains consistent staffing levels of caring professionals. Homecare service is available for as little as a few hours a week, or as many as 24 hours a day, seven days a week
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