Although there are natural changes that may occur in our brains and our bodies as we age, the question of when it is time to limit or stop driving is not about age. It’s about the ability of the driver. To this end, observing the driving of the loved one about whom you are concerned and looking for warning signs of unsafe driving is a great first step in determining whether it’s time to talk to them about the time to stop driving.
This can be a difficult time for a senior citizen who is used to personal transportation freedom. It can also be difficult for family members or friends who take on the added responsibility of ensuring that the person continues to have access to transportation when needed.
Loyal Lifts can step in to assist with senior transportation to ensure that the person who cannot drive safely can still be mobile with readily available and safe transportation.
Time To Stop Driving Signs
As we all know, driving ability goes beyond the simple ability to physically operate a vehicle. Safely driving a vehicle requires physical and cognitive capabilities, driving skills, and good driving behavior. You may be noticing some changes in an older loved one’s ability to drive and will soon need to decide to discuss the time to utilize alternative forms of transportation.
To assist you in determining if a discussion needs to be done with an older loved one, here are eight signs it is time to stop driving that you should look for.
Eight Signs It May Be Time To Stop Driving
- Delayed response to unexpected situations
- Becoming easily distracted while driving
- Decrease in confidence while driving
- Having difficulty moving into or maintaining the correct lane of traffic
- Hitting curbs when making right turns or backing up
- Getting scrapes or dents on car, garage, or mailbox
- Having frequent close calls
- Driving too fast or too slow for road conditions
You may be saying to yourself that you experience some of these signs now and then. But you must consider the driving history of your loved one and the changes in their abilities over time. When you start to see more and more of these signs over a short period, it should be a flag to take action before a serious wreck occurs.
Some Steps To Help a Loved One To Decide It’s Time To Stop Driving
We are a mobile society, and being able to get out whenever and wherever we desire is one of the very best liberties we enjoy as adults. However, as we grow older, driving typically ends up being hazardous based on several factors, and the time subsequently comes when a difficult discussion must be held to encourage an older adult to stop driving. As you can imagine, many seniors are unwilling to give up driving and the self-sufficiency it signifies.
Here are five steps to consider.
Step 1: Get Started With the Conversation
Well in advance of any driving problems, plant the seed that a decision will need to be made eventually about how and when the older adult will need to give up the keys. During this stage, you can get input from the older adult about the warning signals he or she thinks should influence the need to stop driving.
Step 2: Keep an Eye Out for Changes
If you begin to notice your senior loved one growing overly cautious, seeming to become distracted or confused, experiencing slowed response in driving, or any similar problems, it’s the right time to go back over the conversation you had with the senior earlier to bring the issue back to the surface. A senior driving refresher course is often helpful at this stage.
Step 3: Increased Difficulties
As driving problems begin to increase, a visit with the physician is needed to get his or her input on the person’s need to stop driving. It might be that the senior is experiencing a physical problem that can be dealt with, such as with his or her vision, which might enable the senior to safely continue to drive.
Step 4: Now Is the Time
When a senior’s mental, physical, or visual status, and/or reaction time are compromised, it becomes a matter of life and death. For the senior’s safety as well as that of other drivers and pedestrians, it’s vital to move ahead with the plan for the senior to stop driving.
Step 5: Enable Freedom
Typically, seniors feel quite a sense of loss when they are no longer able to drive, and it will be important to have a plan in place to permit them to preserve as much as possible.
Consider using Loyal Lift’s Services for your transportation needs to continue to enable freedom for your loved one when they are no longer able to drive themselves.
Utilize Loyal Lifts Transportation Services When It’s Time To Stop Driving
To give you peace of mind and allow your loved one who can no longer drive continued transportation freedom, utilize the services of Loyal Lifts. We provide reliable and caring door-to-door transportation in western North Carolina for clients with all types of special needs. Our drivers are highly trained and professional.
Let us transport you in style to any event or appointment, including:
- Airport Pickup
- Hotel Shuttle
- Special Event Transportation (Weddings, Funerals, Holiday Gatherings, Family Reunions)
- Non-Emergency Doctor Visits
- Restaurants
- Grocery
- Shopping and Sightseeing
We are family-owned and know the area well. We provide consistent drivers who can help you - we can even provide a wheelchair (upon request as we do not carry the wheelchair on every ride).
We also can meet your personal transportation needs. We can take you to meet friends and family for dining, visit tourist attractions and sites with your guests, grocery and personal shopping as well.
Loyal Lifts Transportation can provide safe and efficient transportation services. Go to our website at www.loyallifts.com, call us at 828-674-6471, or contact us here for more information.