Convincing an elderly person it is time to stop driving is challenging and requires tact..
One of the last things your parent or loved one wants to hear is that his/her driving days are over and you have decided on their behalf it is no longer safe for them to drive.
Think about it, driving is the ultimate freedom experience.
All of us can remember the day we turned 16 and passed the drivers license test.
For me I did not pass the test on the day of my birthday or the first time I took it but that is an another story.
Once we have our license, we were an official driver possessing all the rights to freedom such a milestone in life provides.
Now consider many years have passed and you are at later stages of life and have been told your driving days are over.
This is hard news for anyone to swallow, the thought of losing a privilege you have possessed for 50+ years.
Immediately go from freedom to dependent.
Not appealing to say the least but inevitable and circumstances will dictate how to best handle the situation.
Most discussions related to the topic of elderly driving safety can be more effectively communicated by the primary care physician who can encourage the patient to stop driving from a clinical and safety perspective.
It is common for the initial reaction from the patient to insist that they are OK to continue driving and everyone is over reacting to some minor recent incident.
This ultimately leads to controversy in the family.
It is easier for the physician to convey the risks and concerns related to continued driving.
Ultimately it becomes a decision to give up driving before they injure themselves or someone else.
The decision to stop driving is not easy for anyone to make or accept.
No longer being able to drive represents a major loss of freedom and is an indicator of mortality for the one losing the driving privileges.
It is a difficult challenge for the care giver who must see that the decision is followed through with.
So for all those who are struggling with concerns and issues on this topic you are not alone.
Clearly the safety of others outweighs someones desire for freedom.
The decision to stop driving is difficult for all involved but it comes down to safety.
Safety and independent living at home go hand in hand.
There are many safety issues to consider when evaluating someones ability to continue living independently.
Driving is one of the more important safety considerations for the elderly but also represents one of the more significant losses of freedom.