The subject of aging drivers can be a touchy one because everyone’s body and mind react to aging very differently. Some elderly people have all of their faculties about them and are perfectly safe to continue driving. However, others have physical or mental limitation that can make driving unsafe, even at younger ages. It’s important to know what some of the risk factors are to be on the watch for if you have parents that are aging. Mobility concerns, physical concerns like sight and hearing, and mental difficulties can all make driving unsafe. Approaching the conversation can be difficult, but it’s important for the safety of your loved ones as well as other drivers on the road. Hopefully, you all can come to a decision when the time is right without too much push-back or anxiety.

Aging Drivers: Knowing When to Stop Driving and Starting the Conversation

Mobility Concerns

One of the concerns that often gets overlooked with aging drivers is mobility issues. Stiff joints, arthritis, or physical limitations can all make driving unsafe. To properly operate a vehicle, a driver needs to be able to react quickly to things. This might mean turning the wheel quickly, looking over your shoulder, or turning fully in your seat to see behind you. All of these things can become quite difficult as people age and their joints become stiffer. Additionally, getting in and out of a car safely can become hazardous for elderly drivers.

Physical Concerns

Another of the concerns for aging drivers are physical limitations. As we age, we can struggle with our senses. Especially sight and hearing. Both of these are incredibly important for safe driving. Drivers who struggle with vision problems might have more difficulty at night, might experience blurred vision, or might not be able to read signs correctly. Elderly people who struggle with hearing might not be able to hear important sounds like sirens or honking.

Mental Difficulties

In addition to physical limitations, aging can also disrupt mental faculties. Aging drivers need to be able to make quick decisions with clear judgement. As we get older, oftentimes our reactions become much slower. Elderly drivers with dementia or Alzheimer’s might easily get lost on the road. Or make erratic movements that are a danger to other drivers. Being able to make snap decisions and have quick reaction times is an important part of driving safely.

Approaching the Subject

If you are concerned about an aging driver in your life, it’s important to remember that this can be a touchy subject. Oftentimes, driving is one of the most important factors in being able to live independently. Giving up this last freedom can feel like a big loss for many people. If you are wanting to approach the subject, make sure you come from a place of compassion and understanding. Acknowledging the grief that can come with giving up a life-long activity can go a long way. Encourage elderly drivers to seek alternatives like Uber or offer to drive them yourself to make the switch less of a life-altering decision. Approaching the subject of when to ask aging drivers to give up their keys can be a very touchy and painful one for many people. However, the most important thing is to make sure that your elderly loved ones are safe on the road. Older drivers need to be aware that mobility issues as well as physical limitations like loss of sight and hearing can impact their ability to drive safely. Additionally, things like dementia, old age, and Alzheimer’s can really inhibit their ability to make the quick judgement calls and reactions that are necessary for driving. If you are considering bringing up the topic with an aging parent, be patient and approach the subject with compassion and understanding. Hopefully, you and your aging loved one can come to an agreement about when the time is right for giving up driving.