Relationships-Safe Driving-Should Mom or Dad Be Driving?

What should you do when driving is no longer an option for your aging parent?

In today's fast-paced and ever-changing world, getting from one place to another is very important. It is this increase of mobility that has helped the modern world get to where it is today. In the United States, it is hard to imagine not having an automobile for daily chores and work.

However, as one ages or acquires some disabilities, using an automobile can be dangerous not just for the driver but more importantly, the other drivers and pedestrians on the routes where Mom or Dad drives. Not being able to use an automobile seriously limits one's mobility and ability to get from one place to another. For some people, this is not even an option.

So how are those who suddenly find that driving is not an option finding increased mobility and transportation? It is important to know the facts regarding the situation before making an assessment to on what to do regarding it.

Dangers of driving for the elderly

First of all, it is important to note how dangerous it is for the elderly to drive beyond the age of 65. Studies have shown that drivers over the age of 75 have the second-highest accident rate of all drivers in United States – second only to those 25 and below.

Also, those of this age bracket, when encountering accidents have double the fatality rate as opposed to any age group. This means that aside from being prone to accidents, elderly people are in greater risk of death due to these accidents. This makes taking precautions for elderly people a must for people of all ages.

However, if the elderly are denied the ability to drive the will feel more isolated from society. This could also lead to depression and a sense of uselessness. The dilemma is how are we supposed to balance the dangers of elderly driving, and the dangers of alienating them from society?

Create a driving plan

There are some ways wherein the elderly can still be given mobility and transportation while reducing the dangers of vehicular accidents due to elderly driving. This involves creating a driving plan that allows for people to assist elderly people while driving or actually driving for the elderly people.

Here are a few tips to help you create a driving plan for your elderly.

1. Consider the elderly person's past driving record. You will want to look into the history of the driver in question. Specific things to look for are traffic citations, crashes, and other vehicular mishaps the person may have experienced in the past.

Their past record may hold the key to their driving habits and their tendencies. And if you are in knowledge of their habits and tendencies, it becomes easier to predict how it will drive and how to care for these people so that they do not encounter any of the previous mishaps they have experienced.

2. Look carefully at physical or mental disabilities that may impair driving skills. Take a good look at the person's medical record to find out whether he or she is capable of driving. Pay close attention to eyesight, seizures, heart conditions, and other factors that may prevent one from driving.

You may want to have a physician give his opinion on the physical ability of the driver. You should also, take a long hard look at the person's medication records. Look if there are any medications that may impair one's ability to comprehend or react to a traffic situation. Look for medications that cause drowsiness, decreased attention and focus, and other effects.

3. Create a driving plan. A driving plan means that you should schedule the traveling time among those caring for the elderly so that there is always someone who can take the person to wherever they need to go to. This could be done so that someone always accompanies the person, or someone drives for him or her instead.

If this is not possible, then it would be good to schedule trips to places where the elderly want to go so that it is convenient to all parties involved.

By creating a driving plan for the aging parent, make sure that they understand why this is being done for them. You should also make sure that they don't feel like he or she is a burden to the family, and that the only thing in your mind is concern for the safety of the person in question.