Driving can be really important to your senior because of what it represents. Independence and other values are often wrapped up in the ability to drive. If your elderly family member is nearing a time when she may not be able to keep driving, you might want to talk to her about compromises you may be willing to make in order to allow that to happen.
Get a Note from Her Doctor
One of the biggest ways you and your senior can both ensure that she’s safe behind the wheel is to talk with her doctor. If your senior’s doctor agrees that it’s safe for her to keep driving, that’s a pretty good benchmark. Keep in mind that circumstances can change, so this may be a topic that gets revisited a few times. Make sure to ask if your senior’s doctor recommends any specific restrictions on driving for her.
Keep Her Eyes and Ears in Good Working Order
Your senior’s doctor can do some basic testing on her vision and hearing, but it’s also a good idea to have more in-depth examinations of both. Your elderly family member needs to be able to hear and to see well in order to drive safely. If she’s experiencing changes to these senses, that can have a huge impact on her ability to drive much longer.
Ensuring the Car Is Ready to Go
It’s not just your senior that you need to be concerned about, though. If the car isn’t safe for her to drive, that’s another problem entirely. Make sure that the car is well-maintained and that there aren’t any major safety concerns. If the car is too old or the condition is too bad, it might be a good idea to either try another car for her or consider staying out of the driver’s seat for now.
Make Sure She’s Not Sleep Deprived
Sleep deprivation can be as damaging behind the wheel as alcohol. If your elderly family member is determined to keep driving, she also needs to make sure that she’s sleeping well on a regular basis. Keeping herself healthy is a major factor in being able to continue doing all the things that she loves to do, including being the one controlling the car.
Another big compromise you might want to consider is that your senior won’t drive during bad weather or at night. Having elder care providers available to take over driving for her when she can’t is another way that you and your senior can come to a compromise about driving that keeps her safe.
If you or an aging loved one is considering elder care in Huntley, MT, please contact the caring staff at SYNERGY HomeCare Billings today at 406-839-2390.
