Driving: By the year 2018, there were more than 45 million older drivers on the roads.

That same year, around 258,000 of those drivers were hurt or killed in crashes. These crashes occur for a variety of reasons. Among them are slowed reaction times, vision changes, and cognitive decline.

Your dad’s doctor recommends he stops driving. He’s not happy about it, but you need him to understand the importance. How do you get him to stop driving and reassure him that he’s still going to have his freedom?

Talk to Him About His Medications

Is your dad taking any medications? If the side effects are dizziness, nausea, or sleepiness, he shouldn’t drive. Make sure he knows it’s the medications that are keeping him from driving. If he’s given a choice between his health or driving, he may focus on his health.

If that doesn’t work, point out that if he was driving and fell asleep or hit someone, he could hurt someone else or end up in jail for operating under the influence of a drug. It’s an expensive risk to take. He can have someone else drive him and avoid any risk.

Lose His Keys

Hide his keys and help him look for them. He’ll think he’s misplaced them, but you’ll know where they are. He can’t drive until they’re found. If he decides to get a replacement key from the dealer, the high price may not appeal to him.

“Borrow” His Car

Have a close friend or family member tell your dad that their car has to go in for some significant repairs. A transmission replacement, engine replacement, or bodywork are all repairs that take some time. The next step is for that person to ask to borrow his car.

Once they’ve borrowed the car, they can keep delaying it. Eventually, he’ll realize it’s just as convenient to have others take him where he needs to go. He won’t miss his car or feel the urge to drive.

Make Him Take a Driver’s Test

Your dad won’t listen to you, so have someone else judge his skills. Call the local DMV and see if they do assessments for older drivers. You can make an anonymous report to get the DMV to call your dad for a license retest. If he fails, he has the DMV to blame.

Arrange to Have Caregivers Available for Safe Rides

Now that your dad realizes he isn’t safe driving himself around, hire someone to drive him. Home care services cover more than meals and housekeeping. Caregivers can take your dad where he wants to go. He’ll have a caregiver drive him to stores, medical offices, friends’ homes, and area businesses.

To arrange home care, talk to a specialist. You’ll get prices, availability, and services that will help your dad stay active and get out of the home without driving himself.

If you or an aging loved-one are considering hiring Home Care in Mount Laurel, NJ, please contact the caring staff at Attentive Care Inc. at 1-800-493-5660

Sources:
https://www.cdc.gov/