Giving Up the Keys – When Should Seniors Stop Driving?

From time to time, we hear news stories about elderly people causing serious car accidents due to negligence.  This typically reignites the on-going debate about “when is it time for a senior to stop driving?”  Also it is important to keep in mind that seniors are more likely to be injured in an accident as well as more likely to die from their injuries. 

Obviously being told you should no longer drive is a very sensitive topic for an elderly person still driving.  To them, it represents more than just getting from one place to another but their independence and a way of life.  So before you take away your elderly parent’s driving privileges, there are some things you can do to check that their driving is up to today’s road conditions.

 

The first thing you can do is to get in the car and take a ride with them.  Experts say some driving issues signal serious problems while others less so.  For instance if your loved one is confusing the gas pedal with the brake, this is serious and requires immediate action.  Other things to look for are problems with left-hand turns, changing lanes, or driving either too fast or too slow.  Once you are out of the car, check for signs of new scrapes and dents. 

Many older adults realize their driving abilities are not what they used to be and make the decision on their own to stop driving at night or on freeways.  They also will not drive on icy and snowy roads or in the rain.  Some even make other adjustments such as not making left hand turns or avoiding busy roads with lots of lanes and traffic.

  

One of the many advantages of senior living is that most communities offer services for transportation.  This ensures your loved one will get to their doctor appointments safely and any other errands they need to do.  If you would like to learn more about our loving assisted living community in Beaverton, OR, please contact MorningStar Assisted Living & Memory Care of Beaverton.  We welcome any questions and will be more than happy to speak with you and your family.

MorningStar of Beaverton offers the very best in assisted living with our distinct mission statement of “to honor, to serve, to invest.”  Our foundation is built upon honoring God, valuing all seniors, and investing in staff with a felt calling to serve. Dedicated to creating a real home for residents within a beautiful setting, we encourage you to schedule a visit to our exceptional community.