Giving up driving is a huge milestone in age and something that many people don’t want to give up. When a senior stops driving it can feel like giving up control and giving up the freedom they cherish. One of the reasons many seniors can age in place is that things like in-home care services can provide non-emergency transportation for certain seniors. If you want your senior to give up driving, you need to tell them why and have options for them to get places. The good thing about in-home care is they allow a senior to maintain independence and freedom but with a little extra help that allows them to age in place.
If you’re wondering if your senior should stop driving and get services like in-home care to help with transportation, here are four things to look for.
They Have a Hard Time Hearing
Some seniors may have trouble hearing well, which can be a huge motivation to get your senior out from behind the wheel. If your seniors can’t hear the car, warning honks, or even pedestrian signals, it can be super dangerous for them to get behind the wheel of a car. By not hearing certain things, they can put their lives in danger and endanger others on the road. It is better to find them transportation than have them drive. Even if they can see but still can’t hear anything, it is best to leave the driving to someone else.
They Can’t See Well Anymore
As a person ages, their eyesight may start gradually going. They may not even know they can’t see well anymore, which can be scary. They may miss signs, and not know when or which lane to be in at the right time, which not only puts them at risk, it puts others at risk too. Driving at night can become particularly hazardous as the reduced vision can make it difficult for a person to see oncoming traffic. It’s important to pay attention to whether or not your senior can see.
They Have Multiple Medical Conditions
It’s natural to start having more medical problems or chronic conditions as you age. This can be maintained with the help of a doctor, but some medical conditions mean a senior must give up driving. For example, a senior with dementia may get lost easily or forget how to drive while they’re behind the wheel. This can be so dangerous, and if you suspect that your senior has dementia, you need to get them to stop driving immediately and find alternatives for them. Dementia can be a sensitive subject, and not all seniors will like you telling them they have a form of Alzheimer’s.
They Have Slower Reaction Times
A senior may be slow to react, which means they can’t break on time, or they miss traffic light signals because their brain isn’t processing like it used to. This can lead to speeding or accidents with other cars. Sometimes a slow reaction time can signal a problem with alcohol or an impact of having multiple medications every day.
If you or an aging loved one are considering In-Home Care Services in Oakland CA, please contact the caring staff at Alondra Home Care today. Call (855)-767-1110.
Providing Exceptional Home Care Services in the Fremont CA and Alameda County area for over 5 years.
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