Senior Home Care in Medinah IL
Driving is a complicated task that seniors might still engage in without thinking much about whether they should stop doing it or not. The reality is that at some stage, it might be dangerous for seniors to keep driving. Understanding where that boundary is might differ for every family, so it’s important for them to understand what red flags might warn them that it’s time to talk about driving. Senior home care providers can help aging adults with all sorts of daily tasks, including getting where they need to go.
Accidents or Near Accidents
A big sign that seniors might need to give up driving is that they’re either experiencing more accidents in their vehicle or almost having accidents. That means that seniors may not have the same skills they had in the past, which can get dangerous quickly. Sometimes seniors might try to hide evidence of accidents, like parking the car in a way that makes damage less visible.
New Vision Issues
If seniors start to experience changes to their vision, that can be a red flag about driving. Sometimes seniors have trouble driving at night or during low-light conditions during the day, like a rainstorm. Understanding how vision impacts safety behind the wheel can help seniors understand when it might be time to let home care providers do the driving for them.
Trouble with Basic Driving Tasks
Driving involves a variety of complicated tasks that often need to be performed together in order to keep the car on the road. Braking, accelerating, keeping the car properly aligned on the road, and maintaining a consistent speed are all part of what seniors have to do to drive safely. If they’re having trouble with these tasks, that might mean that they’re not able to keep driving.
Medication Changes
New medications, updated dosages, or new combinations of medications can give seniors some new side effects that they’re not expecting. When seniors notice that they’re feeling different after trying a new medication or changing dosages, they should talk with their doctors or pharmacists about how the side effects could change their ability to drive. If the side effects are severe enough, driving might not be a great idea.
Getting Disoriented or Lost While Driving
Another big red flag is when seniors start to get disoriented or lost while they’re driving or away from home. This is especially a problem when seniors experience other issues at the same time, like memory issues or cognitive decline. These types of situations can be terrifying for seniors and the family members who love them, but they’re also a sign to stop driving.
Addressing the topic of driving as gently as possible is so important for aging adults. Even if they’re experiencing many of these red flags all at once, that doesn’t mean it’s an easy choice for them to let senior home care providers take over the driving. Finding a solution together over time may be what it takes to make sure that seniors feel safe and secure letting someone else take over for a while.
If You Or An Aging Loved One Are Considering Senior Home Care in Medinah, IL, Please Contact The Caring Staff At Assisting Hands Home Care – Lombard Today At (630) 313-6160.
Assisting Hands Home Care – Lombard Provides Exceptional Home Care For Seniors In Elmhurst, IL And The Surrounding Areas.
