As your elderly loved ones get older, there is a good chance that their driving skills might deteriorate or slowly diminish. Elderly drivers who are losing eyesight, have diminished reflex capacity or other problems put themselves in danger when they put themselves behind the wheel. As a family member, it is your responsibility to make sure that your elderly loved ones are safe while driving. Here are some tips to making sure they stay safe.
Instructions
1. Take your elderly loved ones for a drive so you can assess any problems they may be experiencing behind the wheel. Some things you may notice are problems turning due to weakened or stiffened joints, drowsiness, slow response times, diminished eyesight, medical conditions such as seizures or forgetfulness.
2. Choose a few ways to help combat the problems they are having behind the wheel.
3. Hire a companion driver who is available to come on short trips with the elderly drivers. They can be alert and notify you of any problems, as well as assist the elderly persons with any problems.
4. Outline a few places that are close to home that the elderly persons feels safe driving to as locations they can drive on their own.
5. Don't let your elderly loved ones drive at night, or any other time where it might be hard to see, such as in foggy or snowy conditions.
6. Make sure that you have a way to contact emergency services in the event of a medical emergency. An emergency pendant is a great idea.
7. When driving becomes to difficult, encourage your elderly loved ones to utilize public transportation, such as bus systems and trains.
Tags: elderly loved, elderly loved ones, loved ones, your elderly, your elderly loved, behind wheel
