Many families get worried that an aging loved one is not practicing safety when getting behind the wheel of their car. There are obvious safety issues when it comes to senior drivers, but there are ways that a family can tell if their aging loved one is fit to continue sitting behind the wheel. Taking precautions is never a bad idea when it comes to senior drivers and provides peace of mind for the entire family as well as ensures that your loved one remains safe.
Getting the Annual Check Up
There are many factors to driving that are compromised as we age. Even if your loved one’s mind is in tip top recollection, the body may not be on the same page. For example, as we age, our bodies are less likely to react in time to prevent driving incidents due to decreased motor functionality. Additionally, many aging seniors lose effective eyesight, making driving in low light a dangerous endeavor. An annual health check-up will allow you to have the all clear from a doctor who understands these dangerous risks that place senior drivers in jeopardy.
Being Aware of Changes that Could Affect Senior Drivers
Simply being aware and being able to recognize the development of conditions that may arise throughout seniority will help families to determine if their loved one is still a safe driver. Chronic conditions that arise may put your aging loved one at increased risk when getting behind the wheel of a vehicle, which is why it is important to keep an eye out for their development. Loss of eyesight, hearing, symptoms of pain and loss of motor skills are all reason to see a doctor for driving approval; even if your loved one has already had their annual check up. To help the prevention of the development of chronic conditions that impair driving, have your loved one keep up with their health. This includes taking daily medications as suggested by a doctor, eating a diet full of nutrition that will maintain health and exercising to keep the motor skills of the body functioning properly. Aging seniors who take care of their health have a higher chance of driving longer.
Investing in a Car Designed to Help Senior Drivers
Along with keeping up with medical examinations and health to ensure safe driving, you can also ensure your senior driver’s safety by investing in a car that makes them comfortable and protected. Features that come in a vehicle made safer for senior drivers include:
Eliminated Blind Spots: Vans and trucks offer little mirror view, causing an elderly driver to have to turn all the way around to change lanes due to exaggerated blind spots. Invest in a vehicle that has virtually zero blind spots so that mirrors can be used to make driving decisions.
Low Tint: Especially if your loved one is developing gradual loss of eyesight, make sure that the vehicle has a low tint so that during hours of low light, they are still able to make driving decisions based on trusted vision.
Safety Features: Although most vehicles currently come manufactured with airbags and seatbelts, make sure that these functions work properly in a senior loved one’s car to make sure that if the worst happens, your loved one has the best chance of survival.
Choosing a Senior Caregiver Referral Service
One of the best things that you can do to ensure that your elderly loved one stays safe behind the wheel of their vehicle is to decide upon a senior home caregiver. Home caregivers are much more than a person to make sure that a client takes medication. They help seniors tend to day to day activities, including driving. Seniors don’t want to have to give up freedoms when they aren’t ready to and a home caregiver allows your family member to have the independence they need and want without compromising. Ready to see if a caregiver is right for your family? Call Florida First Senior Home Care today at 561-771-5980 or contact us on our website.