The following factors should not rule out driving, but they can elevate risk and warrant monitoring:
- Health conditions. Physical and mental impairments that accompany aging, from Parkinson's disease to dementia, can compromise driving agility and judgment. If you have questions about someone's ability to drive given his health problems, consult with his physicians, if possible, and raise the issue of driving safety. (Keep in mind that his physician can't talk to you without his permission, unless you have power of attorney.)
- Vision impairment. Vision is obviously a key component of driving ability. In fact, according to Elizabeth Dugan, author of The Driving Dilemma, "90 percent of the information needed to drive safely relates to the ability to see clearly." From accurately reading the speedometer to detecting pedestrians on the side of the road, good driving requires good eyesight. But deterioration in vision is an inevitable effect of aging; in people 75 and older, vision impairment rates increase significantly, according to the Centers for Disease Control. As the eye ages, far less light reaches the retina, for one thing. Older eyes are also more susceptible to cataracts, glaucoma, and other problems that impair vision. Encourage your family member to have regular eye exams, and check in with his eye doctor if you have concerns.
- Hearing impairment. Few people age without some deterioration in their hearing. In fact, one-third of those over 65 have hearing problems. Hearing loss can happen gradually, without realizing it, and undermine his ability to hear horns, screeching tires, sirens, and other sounds that would normally put someone on high alert. Make sure the person in your care has regular hearing tests.
- Prescription drug use and drug interactions. Many drugs can compromise driving ability by causing drowsiness, blurred vision, confusion, tremors, or other side effects. Certain drugs taken in combination can also interact and cause serious problems. If your family member takes a lot of pills each day, as many elderly people do, educate yourself about the drugs and possible side effects. Even herbal remedies and over-the-counter medications can affect driving ability. Talk to your family member's physicians and pharmacist, and be sure to ask about possible drug interactions.
- Alcohol abuse. Drinking and driving is always a dangerous combination; add old age to the mix and you have a disaster waiting to happen. As people age, alcohol remains in the system longer and tolerance declines. Also, elderly folks are likely to be on medication, which can exacerbate the effects of alcohol. Given these risks, and the difficulty of gauging exactly how much alcohol will impair an individual's driving, Elizabeth Dugan's advice is simple: "If you drink, don't drive. Period." If you suspect that your family member is drinking and driving, don't wait to take action.
All of the information contained in this article was extremely helpful. It fits my 81 year old mother to a T! She is still very healthy and active, but she has cataracts and is hard of hearing in both ears, and she was not a good driver when she didn't have all of this going on! My sister and I have already talked about this issue and we both agree that it is going to be difficult to persuade Mom to give up the keys. In fact, I recently broached the subject to my mother to get a feel for the pending heavier discussion and she almost hung up on me! So I know it's not going to be easy, but it will eventually have to be done.
I took my dads keys last year. I see now that I did the right thing. He is totally blind in his right eye, has dementia, and Parkinsons. When I took his keys he said he came to visit me but couldn't remember where I lived. So, that was my cue that it was time. He still thinks there is nothing wrong with him but he is a danger to himself and to others. BTW, he hit the same tree in the front yard 4 times in 1 week even though that tree had been there for over 30 years.
Thanks for having this info available. My brother asks me if we should take Dad's keys frequently but I don't think we should yet. I see by your suggestions that the things I have been watching are the same as you recommend so I feel better that my decision is the right one at this time.
This is helpful. My brother is 81 years old and has gluacoma. His night driving is really bad and daytime driving isn't much better in bright sun, but he won't give up his keys. This might help with aproaching the problem differently. Thank you.
Thank you. The "Warning Signs . . ." and the tips in "Go Driving with your Parents" were particularly helpful. The information was new to me--things I'd never have thought of!!
After almost having three accidents in 48 hours, I voluntarily stopped driving. I am somewhat mentally impaired but hadn't realized how it was affecting my driving. I'm sure that God was helping me realize this. I did not show the symptoms on your list but each of these accidents would have been all my fault. My Bible Study Group said "Thanx".