Driving Challenges With Aging

Our bodies and brains naturally change as we get older, which will undoubtedly have an influence on our driving skills. These changes, ranging from reduced response times to changes in visual and cognitive processing, vary based on the individual. While being old does not inherently make a driver hazardous or a risk factor on the road, identifying and addressing possible issues is critical for preserving road safety and independence.

If you have noticed a family member or friend who is aging and seems to be at risk while driving, it is better to say something now. Do not wait until they are in a fatal car accident. But how can you mention that you believe their age is causing them to be a bad driver and a major risk factor on the road?

Before jumping to having your elderly parent evaluated for their driving, next time you are in the car with them, consider what you are seeing. Watch for common changes that might signal the need for an assessment such as driving too slow or getting lost. Also pay close attention to their driving habits. Are they making good choices to avoid nighttime or rush our driving? Or do they seem to continue to drive no matter the time of day or weather conditions? If you see their driving ability trending downward due to their age, have them evaluated.

How To Bring Up Driving And Age With A Parent Or Family Member

If you are nervous about a parent driving and believe they are dangerous to themselves and others on the road, do not immediately take their keys or reprimand them. This is a bad idea. You can harm your relationship and make it more difficult to convince them that aging has made their driving hazardous. Instead, start a conversation and let them know you are concerned.

Have Your Aging Family Member Professionally Evaluated For Driving

Ask them to get evaluated by a professional OT driver rehab specialist. This way you are not making the call, but a professional communicates to them based on an evaluation and objective information.

Common Aging Changes That May Impact Older Driver

As we age, our physical, sensory, and cognitive capacities vary, making it crucial to maintain safe driving habits. Some changes we see from aging include:

• Vision Changes: This includes reduced vision at night. As we age, we have greater sensitivity to glare, and difficulties seeing road signs and markings.
• Slower Reaction Time: A delay in reacting to unforeseen conditions, such as an abrupt halt, a roadside obstruction, or an unexpected turn.
• Reduced Physical Strength & Ability: As we age, we can have difficulty turning to check for blind spots, maintaining steering wheel control, or efficiently pressing the gas or brake pedals.
• Decreased Cognitive Function: Difficulty processing several bits of information rapidly, or confusion in complicated traffic scenarios can occur as we age.

Key Warning Signs of Declining Driving Ability With Age

Older people and their family members must keep an eye out for signals that an elderly family member’s driving abilities are deteriorating. Key warning signs aging may be impacting driving are:

• • Driving at unnecessarily fast or slow speeds.
  • Failure to obey traffic signs and signals.
  • Unexplained damage to their vehicles.
  • Needing help or directions from passengers when driving.
  • Regularly in accidents or fender benders.
  • Become easily confused or upset while driving.
  • Getting lost in familiar areas.

• • Struggling to maintain correct lane placement or make wide corners.

• Frequent near-misses while driving.

If any of these behaviors are present, it may be time to schedule a driving examination.

The Role of Comprehensive Driving Evaluations

A professional driving examination, such as that performed by an Occupational Therapy Driver Rehabilitation Specialist (OT DRS), may assist in determining whether it is safe to resume driving. The assessments include:

• Medical History and Medication Review: Recognizing diseases or drugs that may impair driving abilities.
• Functional assessment involves evaluating physical strength, range of motion, and coordination.
• Vision testing involves assessing acuity, peripheral vision, and depth perception.
• Perception and Reaction Time: Evaluates the ability to absorb information rapidly and react correctly.
• Behind-the-Wheel Assessment: Observing driving performance under real-world settings.

The Benefits Of Having An Aging Parent’s Driving Evaluated

Once your family member is professionally evaluated for their driving, it can be determined that they are fit to drive. This is excellent and can give you peace of mind. If it is determined their old age is impacting their driving capabilities, the benefits are:

• It is not you determining that your parents should not be driving anymore, but an unbiased third party.
• You do not have to be the one to take their drivers license or keys.
• A OT driving rehab professional will help you through the process.

How to Stay Safe on the Road When Aging

With the correct help, older drivers may typically retain safe driving behaviors while also adjusting for age-related changes. Consider these tips:

• Stay Active and Healthy: Regular exercise may boost your strength, flexibility, and response speed.
• Periodical Vision and Hearing Tests: Schedule periodic checkups to keep your senses keen.
• Modify Driving Habits: Avoid driving at night, at rush hour, or in inclement weather if these driving conditions seem difficult.
• Explore Vehicle Modifications: Simple changes, such as adding bigger mirrors or employing seat cushions, may enhance comfort, safety and greater driving capabilities.
• Vehicles with Updated Technology: Driving a vehicle with collision avoidance, alert warnings, and automatic features could help as a back up to keep drivers safe.
• Participate in Refresher Driving Courses: Enroll in senior driving classes to keep up with road regulations and defensive driving methods.

When Aging Has Impacted A Person’s Driving Ability

If a driving examination finds severe issues, switching to alternate modes of transportation may be essential. While giving up driving may seem like a loss of freedom, there are numerous ways to keep mobile and involved, including:

• Rides from relatives and friends.
• Community transportation programs.
• Public transportation or ride-sharing services.
• Uber or Lyft drivers.

Support for Older Drivers and Their Families

Aging does not always have to result in losing your ability to drive. Many elderly continue to drive safely for years by being proactive with their health and cognitive ability. By monitoring changes in their driving ability, and getting assistance from specialists such as an OT Driver Rehabilitation Specialist, elderly can drive for many years to come.

Schedule A Driving Assessment For An Aging Family Member

If you or a loved one notices changes in driving abilities, schedule a full driving assessment. At Adaptive Mobility, we are here to assist aging drivers in traversing this stage of life with confidence and safety, AND we are able to see our clients from the comfort of their own community. Aging drivers are just one of the groups we serve with adaptive mobility services.

While we provide our driver rehabilitation evaluations in Pennsylvania and New Jersey, we have a network of OT Driver Rehabilitation Specialists that can assist you no matter where you are located in the United States.