Keys to Keeping Senior Drivers Safe

Keys to Keeping Senior Drivers Safe

Driving is one of the most sensitive of senior issues. But there's good news and support for older adults who want to extend their days behind the wheel.A report from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety may help your peace of mind. Auto crash deaths among drivers 70 and older fell 21 percent during the period 1997-2006, reversing an upward trend, even as the population of people 70 and older rose 10 percent, according to the study by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety.   Despite growing numbers on the road, fewer older drivers died in crashes and fewer were involved in fatal collisions during the period than in years past, according to the study.Driving is a privilege that shouldn't be taken for granted at any age. Older adults can be just as safe on the roadways as when they were younger, but adjustments are sometimes needed to account for age-related physical and cognitive changes. Loss of hearing and visual acuity, chronic diseases and medications can all impact their ability to drive safely. Good driving is more about skill than it is about age.The AARP offers advice to help you determine if your loved one should give up or limit his driving. Here are a few considerations from AARP for you and your aging parent: Does your loved one feel less comfortable and more nervous or fearful while driving? Does he/she have difficulty staying in the lane of travel? Are there more frequent "close calls" or near crashes? Are there more dents and scrapes on his/her vehicle, and on fences, mailboxes, garage doors and curbs along his route? Does he/she have trouble judging gaps in traffic at intersections and on highway entrance or exit ramps? Does he/she have difficulty turning his head to check over his shoulder while backing up or changing lanes? Is he/she easily distracted or does he have trouble concentrating while driving? Is he/she getting lost more often? These are some of the issues you should try to observe with your loved one or ask them about. If you and your loved one determine that they are still safe on the highway, you might want to learn more about the AARP Driver Safety Program (www.aarp.org/life/drive). If you and your loved one determine that some assistance may be needed with incidental transportation and other tasks around the house, there are many resources to help!

Shared from:  HomeInstead Senior Care, Feb 2014 newsletter