The type of car – and the type of road conditions – are a big factor, too. A senior may find new cars, with dashboards resembling a jet cockpit, quite confusing. Fading road signs, worn lane lines, or wet conditions that normally wouldn’t faze an experienced driver, may be increasingly difficult for a senior to adjust to.
A key problem is that gradual physical changes – slow deterioration of vision or hearing, small but accumulating changes in ability to move and react – might not be noticeable from one day to the next, but could have a tragic effect on driving.
What should you or your loved one do?
Here’s a checklist:
If you’re worried about...
Do this…
Visual decline
Get eyes checked every year and make sure that corrective lenses are current. Keep the windshield, mirrors, and headlights clean, and turn brightness up on the instrument panel on your dashboard.
Hearing loss
Have hearing checked annually. If hearing aids are prescribed, make sure they are worn while driving
Limited mobility and increased reaction time
An occupational therapist or a certified driving rehabilitation specialist can prescribe equipment to make it easier to steer the car and to operate the foot pedals.
Medications
Talk with a doctor about the effects of medications you are taking on driving ability.
Drowsiness
Sleeping well is essential to driving well. If there are problems, try to improve nighttime sleep conditions and talk with a doctor about the effect of any sleep medications on driving.
Dementia and brain impairment
If there are any signs of dementia or brain impairment, limit driving and consult a doctor.
Find the right car and any aids you need for driving. Choose a vehicle with automatic transmission, power steering, and power brakes. Keep your car in good working condition by visiting your mechanic for scheduled maintenance. Be sure that windows and headlights are always clean. You can also see an occupational therapist for special driving aids that can help with physical problems. Take it slow and give yourself plenty of room. If cars are passing you on both the right and left lanes, you may be driving more slowly than you used to. Move into the slow lane so others can pass you safely. Also, to avoid problems if the vehicle in front of you stops suddenly, stay back about two car lengths. Be sure to yield the right of way in intersections. Older drivers also have a large number of accidents at intersections when making left turns. It is best to avoid them altogether by making successive right turns, going around the block or blocks to get to your destination. Avoid distractions. In general, many accidents happen because of distractions like talking on the phone, tuning the radio, eating or drinking, reaching for something, turning your head to talk with a passenger or looking around at the scenery instead of the road. Even a few seconds of taking your mind off driving can be dangerous. Avoid uncomfortable driving situations. Many older drivers realize on their own they have to make some changes in the way they drive. For instance, you may decide to drive only during daylight hours if you have trouble seeing well in reduced light. If fast-moving traffic bothers you, consider staying off freeways, highways, and find street routes instead. You may also decide to avoid driving in bad weather, and if you are going to a place that is unfamiliar to you, it is a good idea to plan your route before you leave so that you feel more confident and avoid getting lost. Online services such as MapQuest, Google Maps, and Yahoo Maps can be very helpful.Source: HelpGuide.org
Fortunately for seniors, we in Brooklyn are not nearly as car-dependent as in most other locations around the state and nation. Buses and Access-A-Ride are easily available, and it’s not too expensive to take car service for short distances.
For many people, especially men, it’s psychologically very difficult to give up driving. It suggests a loss of independence and self-sufficiency.
But considering what really can be lost in an accident, it’s often a necessary decision to make.
