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Evaluating Senior Driving Skills
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We've all seen the horrific headlines about elderly
drivers crashing into groups of pedestrians or getting lost for
days while on a simple errand. It terrifies most of us to think
that our elderly drivers may be putting their own, and others',
lives at risk. Yet every day thousands of older drivers do just
fine on the road. We don't hear about the older drivers who aren't
risks.
Age by itself is not an indicator of the inability to drive well.
Paul Newman was driving race cars well into his 70s. But
eventually most older drivers will begin to experience a decline
in their physical flexibility, their eyesight, and their ability
to make split-second decisions. How and when this happens will be
unique to each driver. Some begin to drive less confidently while
still relatively young. Others drive very well into their late 70s
and 80s.
Some older drivers will be the first to recognize that they are
having problems, and they will voluntarily cut back or even stop
driving. Others will resist even in the face of obvious evidence.
Family members are usually very reluctant to step into the driving
issue because it is such an emotionally sensitive subject. Unless
there is hard evidence in the form of tickets, accidents or an
episode of becoming lost, most of us would prefer to stay away
from this minefield. With hard evidence in hand it would be
criminal to permit a driver to get behind the wheel. Without it,
there is often not much to go on except a hunch.
The first step if you have no evidence is to take several rides
with your older driver. You may be surprised to note how much
driving abilities change through the course of the day, so you'll
want to ride in the morning, the afternoon, and even the early
evening. Make notes about what you observe. If there are several
people who can ride at different times, so much the better.
Use the driving checklist on the next page to make notes about what you
saw and experienced. Compare notes with anyone else who has also been riding.
If all appears well, you can take a sigh of relief for a while.
Just repeat the exercise every now and then, or if there is an
incident.
If you saw things that disturbed or even frightened you, it will
be time to take action.
First, make sure that your older driver visits his or her
physician for a thorough physical. This check-up should include a
review of every medication, including over-the-counter
non-prescription medications. Medications can sometimes create
confusion, sleepiness and anxiety. Changing prescriptions often
helps elderly drivers who are beginning to have trouble.
If the doctor agrees that driving is not a good idea, whether for
the short term while a physical problem is being treated, or for
good because there is little chance of improvement, ask him or her
for a prescription that says "no driving." Most doctors will be
more than happy to do this. Older people are often more willing to
listen to their physicians than to their children or other family
members.
If "no driving" is the ultimate outcome, be prepared to offer your
older driver alternatives. Depending on where you live there may
or may not be senior transportation services available. Call your
closest Senior Center and ask them about transportation options.
They will be most knowledgeable about the possibilities.
Realistically, in most cases there will be few alternatives to
using the car. You may have to pitch in as family to help with
shopping, errands, and medical appointments. If you are an only
child, or the only relative who lives reasonably close, this can
eventually become unwieldy or impossible. Sadly, the lack of good
transportation alternatives is often what forces older people from
their homes and into residential facilities.
Use This Driving Checklist |
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