One of the hardest things that family caregivers must do as they focus on senior care for their relative is to determine when to end driving privileges. It will never be easy to persuade an elderly adult that the need to stop driving for their own safety and the well-being of others.
Elder Care in Fort Myers FL: Senior Driving
Driving provides a lot of independence for adults of all ages, and especially for seniors who have been doing it for decades. However, with age comes physical decline, and at some point, they may be a danger on the road.
So when is it time for an elderly person to stop driving?
There’s no universal answer because different elderly adults have a wide range of physical and cognitive abilities. For someone on medication that makes them unable to drive or someone that can no longer see well to someone who is in the early stages of dementia—every senior driver needs to be evaluated individually. Family caregivers need to pay attention to the warning signs that may reveal that the time has come.
Some of the common warning signs that an elderly person is no longer able to drive include… ignoring traffic signals, drifting in lanes, forgetting to signal, neglecting to yield properly, experience close calls and getting honked at a lot. Seniors may also demonstrate some physical difficulties in operating the vehicle, such as being unable to head check blind spots, move their foot between the gas and the brake, grip the steering wheel and get in and out on their own.
To make the transition a little easier, family caregivers can have a list of alternative transportation options ready to discuss. Sometimes when the elderly person realizes they won’t have to give up visits to the store, appointments or to social events, they are usually willing to open their mind about these alternatives.
Among the most common senior transportation options, public transportation is at the top.
Buses, subways, light rail, trains and more are common in urban and suburban areas. Many seniors often receive a discounted fare for public transportation, making this an easy and cost-effective alternative. Private cars and ridesharing have transformed the way that people get from one place to another.
Seniors can book a car at any time for any destination conveniently, thanks to modern technology. Paratransit options, volunteer organizations, church groups, veteran organizations and more also provide senior services that often include transportation. Hiring a senior care aide can help with transportation as well as other duties.
Driving is a complicated activity that requires fast reflexes and a sharp mind.
When seniors begin to decline in these areas, they may not be able to safely drive. For everyone’s health and safety, it may be time for family caregivers to do the hard thing and get them off the road.
If you or an aging loved-one are considering Elder Care in Fort Myers, FL, please contact the caring staff at Touched by An Angel Senior Care today. Call 239-215-8803 today.
Source:
Aarp.org
About Toya Simmons, Owner and Founder
I know first hand that finding the right home care provider is not an easy task and can be overwhelming. I know the obstacles you face, having to watch a loved one struggle with day to day activities. I have always been passionate about helping and serving others. Being in the medical field and having over 19+ years experience in various settings, I understand that you have to be compassionate, have patience and understanding with this type of business. My vision is to raise the bar in-home care by focusing on the quality of care that we provide and to make life easier for the families and clients that we serve. When our clients are able to receive quality and reliable care at home they’re going to be happier, healthier, and safer there. It is a blessing to serve others and to make a difference in someone’s life, the smallest thing could mean so much to them in the long term.
I’m very involved and oversee the daily operations of this business from administration, the hiring process, training of caregivers, client relations, community outreach and creating customized care plans. Our hiring and training process is extensive, I’m committed to having only “the best” caregivers on our team. I want our caregivers to serve our clients with love and compassion, be actively engaged, and make every effort to improve the daily lives of our clients-physically, emotionally and intellectually. Our caregivers must possess the necessary heart, spirit, energy and personality for this position. My staff makes aging a less complicated process for you and your family. We’re dedicated to helping our clients remain where they want to be the most-at home.
When I’m not in the office my personal time is spent with my family, listening to worship music, cooking, reading and helping others.
