Seniors And Driving

By Author: Mike Smith
Total Articles: 1
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Being able to drive is a great asset for seniors who tend to value their freedom and independence as they advance in age. Taking charge of their cars enables seniors to enjoy their freedom and run their lives on their own schedules. They do not have to depend on others for daily errands and are free to pursue healthy social lives. Driving gives seniors self-confidence and assurance.

Therefore giving up driving is the hardest sacrifice for aging seniors. Much as they like to continue driving forever, weakening health conditions are often the deterrent factor that inhibits one’s ability to drive safely.

Adjusting to life without driving is a difficult experience especially for seniors who have been driving for many years.

Physical Challenges that Hamper Driving Abilities
Different seniors grow old differently; the aging process may depend on a person’s physical condition, illness, family history and lifestyle.

Many seniors may still be fit to be on the road at the age of 75 while others may be encouraged to stop driving when they are 60. A senior’s ability to ...
... drive safely can be hampered by the following conditions that are commonly associated with aging.

• Declining visual ability such as poor eyesight, difficulty in gauging the distance of objects on the road and blurred vision can increase one’s safety risk on the road;
• Hearing loss can also cause drivers to ignore honks or voice signals from oncoming traffic;
• Slowing reflexes may result in slow response time when making turns or yielding to pedestrians, bicycles and other cars;
• Increasing forgetfulness among seniors can cause loss of directions or forgetting to turn on headlights at night;
• Weakening muscle strength may lead to inability to make sharp turns or stop the car suddenly when responding to emergency situations ;
• The effect of medication such as drowsiness can affect one’s alertness and coordination while driving.

How to Adapt to Life without Driving
Seniors who have been advised by their doctors or family members to stop driving require all the help they can get to adapt to life without driving. They will most likely encounter inconveniences and frustrations associated with the fact that they are not able to be as mobile as before.

The following are possible solutions to help seniors deal with their non-driving lifestyles.

• Community living environments such as retirement communities, assisted living facilities and nursing homes can help seniors adapt to life without driving by providing easy access to daily needs and services such as restaurants or cafeterias, libraries, chapels, grocery stores and fitness centers. Many senior facilities also provide daily shuttle that run on fixed schedules to nearby towns or shops.
• Locating to neighborhoods that are within walking distances to parks, shops and other facilities enables seniors to maintain their freedom and independence while enjoying complete privacy in their own homes.
• Seniors may also engage seniors’ transportation services that offer transportation for seniors to airports, clinics, hospitals or other destinations.
• Other modes of transportation such as bicycles, trains, buses and taxi cabs are also viable options for seniors who want to stay mobile and independent.

I am Mike Smith born at May/11/1976 in New York/New York and still living in New York. I work as writer for Adult Foster Care Home. I am husband of beautiful wife and father of two kids.