Taking The Car Keys Away From Your Elderly Parents

Being forced into giving such a privilege up because of old age, therefore, is not an easy thing to digest for anyone. The kind of mobility that a car offers is often taken for granted, and without it the lifestyle that someone will have grown used to would be no longer sustainable. And yet, there comes a point in everyone’s life when it is simply no longer safe to sit behind the wheel. Limited physical capabilities, poor reflexes, and even slightly delayed comprehension don’t merely endanger the driver and their passengers but also everyone else on the street, including pedestrians. For this reason it is imperative to realize when it is time to stop driving and look for alternative solutions.

Warning signs

First indications

Something as seemingly innocuous as a bit of fatigue could have far-reaching consequences. Sitting in a rigid position, steering the wheel, and switching gears all the time can be unexpectedly taxing, and the more exhausted the body gets, the slower it is able to react. If a senior has to stop frequently during even an hour-long drive and becomes shaky and sweaty the longer they stay behind the wheel, then it is a good indicator that their condition is not ideal for driving. Also, seniors who frequently become dizzy or have problems with their vision often feel endangered and become stressed or fearful, making the problem worse. While all these factors do not necessarily warrant giving up the car altogether, they certainly call for action and some sort of compromise at the very least.

Immediate danger

Some more obvious factors that impact driving capabilities regardless of their severity include hearing difficulties, injuries, or a diagnosed medical condition – especially those with symptoms of dementia. Under no circumstances should a person suffering symptoms of these ailments drive a car.

Bringing up the issue and compromising

Tackling the challenge of talking a loved one out of driving is no easy feat, especially since it usually means highlighting issues that may make the elderly feel old and therefore inferior. For this reason, family must be very careful when bringing up the issue and must approach the subject with the utmost delicacy.

If the elderly truly should not be allowed behind the wheel, then do not simply tell them so. Offer instead to drive them around yourself if it’s feasible to do so, or bring up the benefits of using Uber, which might not be as affordable as public transport but is still a pretty cheap option. Do not expect seniors to organize everything themselves, however, so while Uber could work as an alternative, the elderly are not always tech-savvy enough to call for a ride without help.