Content provided by Home Instead Senior Care.
Sometimes the signs are subtle. Other times, they come blazing to attention. Julia remembers her first warning sign when her mother got lost going to the dentist.
Here’s what this family caregiver said: “Mom was gone for three hours and never made it to her appointment. Then she started clocking 60 mph in a 30 mph zone. She eventually gave up the keys, but she wasn’t happy about it.”
READ MORE: CONDITIONS THAT CAN PUT THE BRAKES ON DRIVING
Julia was smart to accompany her mother to get first-hand evidence of her mother’s changing driving abilities. It’s important to collect the facts before making any recommendations about continued driving. Here are some signs that further investigation could be needed:
1. Those mysterious dents. A fender bender can happen to anyone. However, if an older adult can’t seem to explain what happened or family caregivers notice multiple instances of damage, further investigation may be needed to evaluate if there has been a change in the senior’s driving abilities.
2. Trouble turning to see when backing up. The issues of aging could compromise mobility and, in turn, certain important movements needed to drive safely, like looking over the shoulder. Fortunately, newer vehicles are offering more affordable options such as back-up cameras and other assistive technologies that could help older adults compensate for some of these issues of aging.
3. Confusing the gas and brake pedals. You’ve seen the headlines: “Senior driver goes through the garage door after confusing gas pedal for brake.” Dementia can lead to confusion, which could put an older driver and anyone in his or her path in harm’s way. If a senior is getting confused about how his or her vehicle operates, it could be time to give up the car keys.
4. Increased irritation and agitation when driving. Poor health or chronic pain from conditions such as arthritis can trigger increased irritation and agitation. That irritation and agitation could lead to poor judgment on the road.
5. Bad calls on left-hand turns. Turning left can be tricky and dangerous for older adults who may have experienced a decline in cognitive abilities needed to make safe judgments while driving. Many accidents involving seniors occur where there is an unprotected left turn (no turning arrow). An unsafe left turn could lead to a serious crash and life-changing injuries.
READ MORE: 4 IDEAS TO EASE DRIVING TRANSITIONS FOR SENIORS
6. Parking gone awry. Difficulty parking, including parallel parking, could cause damage to an older adult’s vehicle as well as those vehicles around it. Watch for signs that an individual is having problems parking or backing up.
7. Difficulty staying within the lanes. Ever spotted someone zigzagging along the road? If it’s an older adult, it could be a sign that fatigue or vision problems are making it difficult to stay the course.
8. Delayed reaction and response time. Safe driving depends on quick reaction times. Issues of aging can slow those response times to create a situation where an older adult may cause an accident or be unable to respond quickly enough to prevent a crash.
9. Driving the wrong speed. Like Julia’s mother, driving too fast for the speed limit or conditions of the road are indicators that a driver’s judgment may be impaired. Driving too slowly could be just as dangerous and also a sign that something could be amiss.
10. Riding the brake. Riding the brake could be a sign that a driver no longer has confidence in his or her skills. A foot constantly on a brake also is hard on a vehicle. It could be time to investigate further if a senior is riding the brakes.
Seeing one of these signs might not mean a senior’s driving days are over. Get to the root of the problem. Consider a comprehensive driving evaluation by an occupational therapist or explore potential assistive technologies. To learn more, go to aota.org or LetsTalkAboutDriving.com.
