Read these 4 Driving Tips tips to make your life smarter, better, faster and wiser. Each tip is approved by our Editors and created by expert writers so great we call them Gurus. LifeTips is the place to go when you need to know about Elder Care tips and hundreds of other topics.
When my father, an Alzheimer's patient, refused to stop driving, my teens disabled his car by disconnecting wiring. He'd start to drive and discover that the car wouldn't work. We'd tell him that it needed repairs that we would get done. That satisfied him.
Hearing and eyesight decline in acuity as we age. Yearly tests of both hearing and eyesight can help ensure that the elderly are fit for driving.
Studies indicate that driving improves among the elderly who have taken retraining courses. The AARP offers "55Alive" at this site:
http://www.aarp.org/55alive/
In addition, AARP has a couple of quizes that can be used to highlight deficits in driving skills.
The American Automobile Association (AAA) offers information on the course, "Safe Driving for Mature Operators," at this site:
http://aaa.com/aaa/002/images/newhtmlaz/news/articles/olddrvr.htm
Contact your state's Department of Motor Vehicles if you suspect that your elder is no longer a safe driver. Ask them to request a retest of vision, hearing, and driving skills for your elder.
Guru Spotlight |
Barbara Gibson |