When is the Right Time to Take Away the Car Keys?  

October 5, 2016

Car keyMany adult children must ask themselves the difficult question, “Should my mom still be driving?” For some, after a quick observation the answer can be obvious. For most individuals, a much more thorough analysis and a medical opinion need to be taken into consideration before making this important decision.

An honest assessment of the following factors may provide you with a clear picture of whether or not your loved is capable of continuing to drive safely.

  • Does your loved one have vision problems such as: cataracts, glaucoma, or macular degeneration?
  • Do they suffer from diabetes, arthritis, or a condition that may inhibit feeling or range of motion?
  • Do they take any medications that independently or mixed with other medication cause sleepiness, delayed reactions, black outs, or hallucinations?
  • Have you noticed new damages to the vehicle that they drive, or have they told you about recent road incidences?
  • Have they been diagnosed with dementia or another disease that would put them at risk for getting lost?

Age is a number, and while it can lead to problems that impede the individual from safe driving, age itself is not the problem. Look at all the facts, and ask a medical professional to weigh in. Before having the discussion, consider how difficult it may be for dad to accept not being able to drive. Pride, losing the ability to come and go as they please, and feeling that they will now impose on others can make the issue highly charged with emotion. In fact, you may ask your parent’s doctor to “play the heavy” in the discussion to minimize hard feelings between family members. The key is to put your parent’s mind at ease, and help develop a safe solution for everyone.

Sources

Is It Time to Take Away The Car Keys?
Marlo Sollitto
https://www.agingcare.com/Articles/Is-It-Time-to-Take-Away-the-Keys-112306.htm

The Car Key Conversation
Jane Gross
July 3, 2008
http://newoldage.blogs.nytimes.com/2008/07/03/the-car-key-conversation/?_r=0

Taking Away an Older Driver’s Keys
Tammy Ehrenfeld
June 7, 2012
http://www.nextavenue.org/taking-away-older-drivers-keys/