Senior Beat
by Carol Higgins Taylor
Special to The Weekly
The weather is getting better and soon the inclination will be to hit the road. But how safe is driving for someone whose mental capacity has become diminished over the winter? Many seniors who don’t drive in bad weather hop right back in the car come spring. It’s not a problem
unless there has been some ongoing cogitative decline over the past months.
People may now get lost while going somewhere familiar, such as the same grocery store
that has been patronized for years. Or they are employing unsafe driving practices, such as
tailgating and not using turn signals. Sometimes these driving difficulties can be the first sign of
dementia.
But how to approach the subject with an independent loved one who most likely is unaware of the hazards or is unwilling to discuss them?
It can be hard to judge the appropriate time to have the conversation. And for many adult children this is a new role. They have never been in a position of telling their parents what to do,
yet there is an inherent responsibility resting on their shoulders to protect the parent and others
who may be in harm’s way.
The challenge, then, is to preserve a person’s sense of independence for as long as possible, while simultaneously protecting the safety of that of those around them. Since it is often difficult to determine when someone with Alzheimer’s or dementia becomes a danger on the road, it is up to the family and the person’s health care provider to start the conversation and in some cases make the decision to end the person’s driving.
Whether the driver has dementia or not, here are some questions to indicate warning signs that driving may be hazardous:
- Does the person ride the brake?
- Is he or she easily distracted while driving?
- Do other drivers often honk horns at you?
- Does the driver hit curbs regularly?
- Check out the car. Are there fresh scrapes or dents on the car, mailbox or garage?
- Does the person become increasingly agitated or irritated when driving?
- How many near misses or accidents have there been?
- Does the person confuse the gas and brake pedals?
Visit thehartford.com/alzheimers for readable, comprehensive information.
Remember, as hard as it is, the regularity and seriousness of unsafe driving incidents are red flags and several small incidents or a major incident may signal the time has come to take action and get the person off the road.
Have alternate transportation options in place for the senior, if possible, so any weekly routines, while still significantly changed, won’t be completely curtailed.
While many seniors recognize problems they may have with driving and make the decision themselves to limit their time behind the wheel, such as curtailing night driving, those with
dementia may be unable to recognize the changes and consequently are unable to respond to their decreased skill level.
As with everything in life, driving ability is very individualized but as we age our skill level does tend to deteriorate, and while some people drive into their 90s others may be unable to stay behind the wheel.
More information is available at aarp.org on how to talk with a loved one about their driving.
Reminder: If you’re a resident of Orono, Old Town, Veazie or Milford you may have received a survey in the mail from the group, Thriving in Place, comprising community members, law enforcement, town officials and staff from local nonprofit agencies who want your opinion on gaps in services for seniors, adults with disabilities and caregivers in these towns.
If you did not get a survey in the mail but want to take part, you may get one at the town offices or libraries in the four towns, or contact Dyan Walsh at Eastern Area Agency on Aging, at 941-2865. Fill out the survey and return it in the envelope provided by Friday, April 30.
Carol Higgins Taylor is an advocate for seniors. She owns Bryant Street Public Relations in Bangor. Email her at seniorbeat@gmail.com.