Should Your Elderly Relative Still Drive?
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Posted On :
Oct-09-2010
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Article Word Count :
491
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It’s a fact: car accident rates increase with advanced age. Drivers older than 85 experience an average of 38.8 accidents per million vehicle miles travelled, about ten times the rate for 40-45 year-olds.
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It’s a fact: car accident rates increase with advanced age. Drivers older than 85 experience an average of 38.8 accidents per million vehicle miles travelled, about ten times the rate for 40-45 year-olds. Sometimes the results are catastrophic, as in California a few years ago when an elderly man, confusing the accelerator with the brake pedal, caused ten deaths and over fifty injuries in a crowded farmer’s market. Many seniors sensibly curtail their driving, but some don’t. What should you do when you suspect impaired driving in an elderly loved one?
Observe Driving Performance
A history of recent accidents or “fender benders” may be all the evidence you need that a problem exists. Otherwise, the first priority is to create non-threatening opportunities to observe driving skills. Look for warning signs like incorrect signalling, trouble navigating turns, hitting curbs, inappropriate lane changes or delayed responses to unexpected situations.
Signs of significant cognitive impairment would be even more troubling. Examples include becoming confused at exits, getting lost in familiar areas, mixing up the brake and accelerator pedals or even stopping in traffic for no reason.
Even if you note nothing of concern, ride in the passenger seat occasionally to catch indications of declining skills over time. Your presence will also seem more natural that way.
Intervene for Safety
If you note problem driving, begin intervening early so as to make driving cessation a gradual transition. Start arranging practical transportation alternatives, like having others drive to church, appointments or social events. Don’t be shy about asking relatives or friends to shoulder some of the load. Have groceries and medications delivered. Look into home care or errand services. Use taxis or public transportation if practical, or look into the various the local government-sponsored services for those with income limitations and/or disabilities.
If your loved one won’t relinquish the steering wheel, enlist help from his or her personal physician, whose advice may carry more weight. A geriatric care manager, social worker, elder law attorney or clergyman can play a similar role.
If necessary, take the keys or remove or disable the car. Think about reporting the unsafe situation to the state Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV), which will trigger a driving competency exam. The DMV does not reveal the source if notified by a relative, friend or treating physician.
Don’t Dodge the Issue
It is stressful to deal with a resistant elderly relative who is a problem driver. Rather than confront the situation, some of us procrastinate and hope for the best. Others try to limit the danger by “riding shotgun” in the passenger seat, long after obvious warning signs have been recognized. Don’t make these mistakes. The risks to your loved one and other innocent people are just too high.
For more information on caring for an older adult, including great information regarding elderly care in Virginia, visit readyhands.com/.
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Article Source :
http://www.articleseen.com/Article_Should Your Elderly Relative Still Drive?_36959.aspx
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Author Resource :
For more information on caring for an older adult, including great information regarding elderly care in Virginia, visit http://www.readyhands.com/.
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Keywords :
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