When it’s Time for your Parent to Stop Driving

By Andy Niska | February 10, 2017 |

Senior Care in Spokane Valley WA

The signs are evident. Whether the car your parent has been driving is looking a little beat up and worse for the wear, or your parent’s eyesight and health has left them dangerous to themselves or others when they are behind the wheel, it’s clear the time has come for them to give up their driver’s license. Addressing this topic can lead to conflict and a difficult conversation. There are ways you can broach the subject that will lead to a better chance of an easier resolution.

Mandatory or Choice

This is not a subject that you can dance around or avoid. Your parent’s well-being as well as others that share the same roads is at stake. If this is a mandatory revoking of the license due to physical or mental impairments, it may be best to let their doctor or primary health care provider deliver the news. If this is concern on your part, you will need to be aware that without support from physicians or the DMV, it will, ultimately, be a choice that your parent will have to make unless you have power of attorney.

Options

Some elderly just need some help adapting to slower reflexes and changes in vision. A driver rehabilitation specialist is a professional who is trained to assess older drivers with conditions that may affect their driving abilities. They can provide tips that can help them overcome certain limitations and suggest limited driving times, such as only driving in the daytime and within a certain radius of their home.

The Talk

Be direct, but kind. This is yet another in probably a long-line of life changes that have made your parent feel as though their independence is slipping away. Come from a place of concern and not blame. “I’m concerned for your safety” is a much better approach than “You can’t drive anymore—you’re going to kill someone!” You may very well find that your parent has been feeling insecure behind the wheel, but a louder voice kept saying they need to keep driving in order to maintain their freedom and not become a burden on those that care for them.

Alternatives

Going to the table with a list of alternative driving solutions can bring a sense of relief to your parent. This can include names of family and friends that have offered to drive on specific days of the week. It can include the name and number of the local volunteer driving service that provides door-to-door transportation for seniors. The schedule and time for the public transportation service is handy for your parent. The name and number of the senior care provider you have hired to care for your parent a few days a week by assisting with the daily activities of living and provide transportation. You may well find a relieved parent instead of an enraged one following your conversation.

If you or an aging loved one are considering senior care in Spokane Valley, WA, please contact the friendly staff at Love at Home Senior Care, today. Call (509) 204-4088

Resources: https://www.webmd.com/healthy-aging/features/your-elderly-parents-should-they-still-be-driving

Author
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Andy Niska

Owner at Love In Home Senior Care

Andy has over 20+ years experience in the medical community and has a true compassion for seniors. With a degree in Health Care Administration, he developed a background in a variety of health care services that only comes from first hand experience. While working as a manager of a large clinic and as an account executive for medical suppliers. Andy has built valuable relationships with the medical community.

His role in Love In Home Senior Care is to educate people on what care choice is the best fit for the senior and their family while attempting to make this decision as stress-free as possible for everyone involved.

This decision making process should be smooth and stress free for everyone, including all family members and their loved ones. Having access to people with experience (like the team at Love In Home Senior Care) to assist you along the way can help this process. With an extensive background in health care, Andy has the experience needed to guide and direct your loved one to the choice that is the best fit.