There can be lots of reasons why your elderly loved one cannot drive like they used to. Some may be temporary situations, and some might be permanent changes. No matter the reason, it can be scary to suddenly lose the ability to hop behind the wheel and drive off whenever the desire hits. Bringing up the topic of limiting driving or completely ceasing it can be a tough one for many to swallow, so approach with care when it’s time to have the conversation with your elderly loved one and consider senior home care services as one of the solutions.
Five Common Reasons Seniors Need to Change Their Driving Habits
Senior Home Care Somerville, MA – Five Options for Transportation When Your Senior Can’t Drive Medication Side Effects. Some medications can make your elderly loved one drowsy or affect their ability to judge distances well. Always ask the pharmacist or doctor if okay for your loved one to drive while taking a specific medication.
- Loss of Physical Capabilities. This can range from hearing loss, vision loss, range-of-motion issues, and so much more.
- Reduced Cognitive Capabilities. Conditions such as dementia or Parkinson’s disease may make driving extremely dangerous for your elderly loved one.
- Loss of Insurance. If your loved one has had multiple at-fault accidents or moving violations, their insurance provider may turn them away, refusing to offer car insurance to them anymore.
- Weather-related Obstacles. Although temporary, weather-related driving challenges should be avoided whenever possible.
Five Options When Self-Driving is Not the Answer
So, your senior needs to either stop driving during specific times of the day or altogether. To help them stay independent despite this limitation, you need to help them find the best solutions for any transportation needs they may have.
For many seniors, they may need to use more than one of the options below, combining them in such a way that they always have the ability they need to get where they want (and back again), safely and easily.
- Public Transportation. While there can be reasons why this option is not the best for your loved one, for some seniors, it works great. Living on a bus route can make hopping on the bus to go to the library or pick up a bagel from the bakery a nice little excursion for some seniors. It gets them out safely and allows them the chance to connect with others.
- Family and friends. Getting rides from family and friends can provide more than just transportation. It can be a great way to socially connect, while also providing the safety of a trusted friend or family member to not only get your loved one to the right address, but inside as well.
- Volunteer Senior Pick Up Services. Check your community to see if there are any volunteer services your loved one can sign up for to receive transportation assistance.
- Paid rideshare. Ride shares can be great for safety and convenience, but are often an expensive option.
- Senior Home Care Services. Senior home care services can help make sure your elderly loved one not only gets where they need to go, but will also help make sure they’re dressed appropriately, get to the right location inside their destination building (such as a doctor’s office), and help them with any questions they may have along the way. Senior home care providers add “care” to their transportation services.