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. And sooner or later, a decision must be made to stop driving when an elderly person is no longer able to do so safely.
Whether it’s the driving of a spouse, a parent, or another loved one, there may come a time in your life when you begin to question whether a loved one is still safe to drive. But how do you know when it’s time for your loved one to limit or stop driving?
If you have a child that utilizes a wheelchair, then you already understand the challenges that you have to overcome at times when traveling. Walking through crowded malls, riding elevators, utilizing public transportation, or going up and down steps in an office building can be difficult.
You may have memories of seeing grandparents or parents in poor health and needing intensive care, or you are currently caring for aging parents.
You love your parents and do all that you can to assist them at this stage of their lives, and may know firsthand the stress created by caring for an elderly parent.
Although you may cherish the time spent taking care of your aging parent, as time goes by, they may require more and more of your time, and the stress of the caretaking can be overwhelming.
When you or a loved one lives with a disability, one of the most frustrating aspects is not being able to participate in the activities and opportunities that are open to others. In many cases, it is because services and facilities are not accessible.