New Fallbrook program to keep seniors both safe on the road while keeping independence

Ten warning signs that seniors may be unsafe drivers

1. Mysterious dents. If an older adult can’t explain what happened to his or her car, or there are multiple instances of damage, further investigation is needed to understand if there’s been a change in the senior’s driving abilities.

2. Trouble turning to see when backing up. Aging may compromise mobility and impact important movements needed to drive safely. Fortunately, newer vehicles offer back-up cameras and assistive technologies that can help older adults continue to drive safely.

3. Confusing the gas and brake pedals. Dementia can lead to a senior being confused about how his or her car operates.

4. Increased irritation and agitation when driving. Poor health or chronic pain can trigger increased agitation that may, in turn, lead to poor judgment on the road.

5. Bad calls on left-hand turns. Turning left can be tricky and dangerous for older drivers, and many accidents occur where there is an unprotected left turn (no turning arrow).

6. Parking gone awry. Difficulty parking, including parallel parking, could cause damage to an older adult’s vehicle as well as to those around it.

7. Difficulty staying within the lanes. If someone spots a driver zigzagging along the road, it could be a sign that fatigue or vision problems are making it difficult to stay on course.

8. Delayed reaction and response time. Aging slows response times which may create a situation where an older adult may cause an accident or be unable to respond quickly enough to prevent a crash.

9. Driving the wrong speed. Driving too fast or too slow may be indicators that a driver’s judgment may be impaired.

10. Riding the brake. Riding the brake could be a sign that a driver no longer has confidence in his or her skills.

For most individuals, driving is an essential part of life that allows for independence and mobility. For some seniors, though, driving is no longer a safe activity; still, they are not interested in giving up driving because they feel that not being able to drive would keep them from truly being independent.

Nearly 90 percent of aging adults rely on their cars and driving to stay independent, according to a recent CDC study. Though many seniors 70 and older are able to drive safely into their later years, it is critical for families to have a plan in place before a medical or cognitive condition makes it no longer safe for their senior loved one to get behind the wheel.

Not all of these seniors are simply driving out of stubbornness. As a matter of fact, nearly one-third (31 percent) of surveyed seniors 70 and older who were still driving said that a recommendation from family or friends may make them reconsider driving.

Still, adult children have a hard time talking with their aging parents about their concerns, and as a way to help with this problem, DeDe Fadell, the owner of Home Instead Senior Care, has a free program to help assess seniors’ current capabilities as drivers and offer instruction for how to have a family discussion about when it is time for that senior to stop driving.

“A lot of our clients want to stay at home and keep their independence, and the ability to drive gives them the sense of independence and respect,” said Fadell. “We need to make sure everyone is safe on the road.”

“As adults, we don’t hesitate to talk to our teenage children about driving, but when we need to address concerns with our own parents, we drop the ball,” said Elin Schold Davis, occupational therapist and project coordinator for the Older Drive Initiative of the American Occupational Therapy Association. “We know that discussing driving with aging loved ones reduces their discomfort around limiting or stopping their driving. Often, families just need to know how to start the dialogue.”

Let’s Talk about Driving features a wealth of resources for older adults and their families, whether they are still on the road or have given up the keys. One element of the program is the Safe Driving Planner, which helps seniors assess their own driving habits, and helps families create a roadmap for reducing or stopping driving when the time is right.

For those who are not ready to give up driving, Let’s Talk about Driving offers tools to help older adults drive safely, consider options for driving reduction or cessation, and identify alternative transportation options.

Some seniors may be able to be on the road longer, and others may have health related issues that keep them from being able to drive the way they used to. Senior drivers may keep these health concerns to themselves so that their children will not take their vehicles from them.

Age related macular degeneration and blurred fields of vision are some of the biggest hindrances to seniors driving, said Fadell. However, that does not mean that a senior has to lose his or her independence.

Family caregivers can look for several potential warning signs that their senior may be losing the confidence or ability to drive, such as unexplained dents, trouble turning to see when backing up, increased agitation while driving, and riding the brake.

“Physical and cognitive changes, such as those caused by Alzheimer’s disease, changes in vision or medication usage, can put older adults in jeopardy on the road,” added Schold Davis. “Many drivers can continue to drive safely as they get older, but it’s important for families to work with their loved ones to create a roadmap that explores new technologies and solutions, while planning ahead. The solution may not be to stop driving completely, but could include adding senior-friendly safety features to the car or taking a safety class.”

“There is a lot of technology in cars to help seniors drive longer,” said Fadell. “Emergency response and parking assist are examples. However, if a senior doesn’t feel comfortable behind the wheel, he or she may feel relieved to have the discussion, especially if they know they aren’t going to be housebound. The family should rally around their senior, and let them see there are transportation options that are still safe, and allow the senior to be independent.”

“Driving does not equal mobility,” said Schold Davis, “It’s one way to get from point A to point B. It’s important to know that giving up driving is not giving up engagement in the community, recognizing that exploring and becoming comfortable with alternatives will take some work.”

To access the Safe Driving Planner, or to view other program resources and tips, visit www.LetsTalkAboutDriving.com.