How to Help Your Aging Parent Retire from Driving

As people age, some may be advised or required to stop driving due to declining health. Reduced visual acuity, slower reflexes, and declining physical fitness are all reasons why an older adult may no longer be able to drive safely. But how can you help an older adult retire from driving? If you are unsure how to approach the conversation with your aging loved one, here are a few tips that may help!

The Enhanced Self-Assessment Program

Did you know that there is a program designed to help older adults consider what life might be like without a car? Available in the United States and Canada, this enhanced self-assessment program is used by thousands of families to help seniors navigate the stressful and often emotional transition to life without driving. After a lifetime of enjoying the freedom and independence that comes with having a car, suddenly having to stop driving can be difficult to accept, and some older adults struggle to come to terms with such a major change.

With a little luck, some of our aging loved ones make the decision to stop driving on their own, but unfortunately, this is not always the case. By putting ourselves in their shoes for a moment, we can understand just how difficult such a decision can be and the disruption it may cause in their lives. However, when it comes to the safety of our aging loved ones, we have a responsibility to help them understand the potential dangers that driving may pose to themselves and others. We certainly do not want to wait until it is too late before taking action, as older drivers can be particularly vulnerable to serious or fatal consequences in car accidents.

A Program Developed by a Former Ohio Soldier

To help older adults come to terms with giving up driving, a former Ohio soldier partnered with a team of gerontologists to develop this program. Seniors go through a carefully designed process that helps assess their driving-related skills and abilities. It is important to note that the program is not simply intended to prevent older adults from driving. In fact, some seniors may successfully pass the assessment and receive certification allowing them to continue driving for a specified period before being required to take the assessment again.

The purpose of the program is therefore to determine whether or not a person is fit to drive. Following the assessment, the professional responsible for administering the program informs the older adult whether it is time to permanently stop driving or whether they can continue to drive. If the senior is deemed unfit to drive, the program also helps identify alternative transportation options so that they can continue getting around as independently as possible, depending on the resources available.

The goal of this program is to support older adults, whether or not they are considered fit to drive, in resolving the issue peacefully by providing solutions and resources that allow them to maintain as much independence as possible. The program is particularly useful because family members often feel powerless when trying to convince an aging loved one that it may be time to stop driving, whether due to a lack of convincing arguments or simply out of empathy. An older adult may be more willing to listen to the opinion of a professional whose recommendation is based on a structured assessment program.

Why Do Some Older Adults Need to Stop Driving?

If you are unsure how to convince an older adult to stop driving, you can explain why certain age-related health conditions may make driving unsafe. Here are some situations that may prevent an older adult from driving safely:

• Certain medical conditions, such as Parkinson's disease, epilepsy, or the effects of a brain injury.
• Conditions such as diabetes or an irregular heart rhythm may cause an older adult to suddenly lose consciousness. If this happens while they are driving, the consequences could be extremely serious or even fatal.
  
  

Ultimately, Can an Older Adult Continue Driving?

Older adults can often be safer drivers than younger people. After all, seniors generally have considerably more driving experience and may exercise greater caution on the road. Statistics can support this in many situations. Ultimately, however, determining whether an older adult is fit to drive is not always straightforward. This is why driving specialists and medical professionals are best placed to determine whether someone can continue driving safely. To reassure your aging loved one and avoid unnecessarily restricting their independence, the best approach may be to consult a doctor or qualified professional who can assess their ability to drive and either confirm that they can continue driving or recommend that they stop.