When Should a Senior Retire from Driving?

April 24th, 2018 by John Wilson

Driving is an integral part of adult life. It allows you to get to and from work, run errands and any number of other things. However, as individuals get older and require Oklahoma assisted living, their driving skills and reaction times may begin to decline. This often leads to the question of when it’s time to stop driving and rely on other people for transportation. Unfortunately, this can be difficult because it often means giving up some level of independence. There are a few things you can do to help make this transition easier.

Pay Attention

First and foremost, it’s up to you to monitor your loved one’s driving to help determine whether they can safely continue to drive. There’s no set age at which an individual should stop, which is why it’s critical to carefully evaluate each person on an individual basis. Being in the car while they drive can give you a good idea of how well they are doing behind the wheel. If you notice any dangerous behaviors or their driving is putting them at a high risk of an accident, it may be time to talk to them about alternative transportation options. If you can’t get in the car with them due to your schedule or busy lifestyle, inspect their car on a regular basis for damage. If there are a lot of new scratches and dents, it could be a sign their driving ability is suffering.

Common Signs Driving Is No Longer Advised

There are several clear signs your loved one should no longer be driving. These can include:

• Driving on the wrong side of the road

• Slow reaction times

• Not using turn signals

• Missing exits or turns

• Drifting

• Abrupt braking, acceleration and changing lanes

• An increase in tickets or traffic violations

When you notice these things happening, it’s critical to start thinking about talking to them regarding using other forms of transportation. This isn’t always the easiest thing but it can save everyone a lot of hassle and ensure your loved one is as safe as possible when going from one place to another.

Talk to Your Loved One

Open communication is the key to making sure everyone is safe and comfortable. Whether they are living in the best assisted living facilities or they are still in their own homes, it’s important to talk to them about the risks of driving. It’s important to gauge how they feel about the driving situation, as well as go over any potential side effects from their medications or medical conditions that can impact driving. Now is also the time to talk about other travel options, including taking the bus, any transportation offered at senior housing or even having family members or friends drive.

No one likes the idea of giving up any of their independence. However, there often comes a time when reaction times are too slow and other issues can make driving far too dangerous. If you are able to help your loved one realize the importance of staying safe, all while getting where they need to go.

If you’re looking for the best assisted living facilities, contact us. We can help you find the best way to talk to your loved one about retiring from driving.