Home Instead Senior Care has created a program that helps families have the difficult discussions with their elders about driving and when they should no longer be behind the wheel.
- Program suggests making gradual changes
- Then slowly transitioning from there
The program encourages seniors to place personal restrictions upon themselves- like only driving during the day or staying off of interstates. Home Instead franchise owner Kristi Campbell also points out the importance of making gradual modifications.
“It helps when they do self-impose limitations, because then the adult child can take the next step, and over a period of time you’re slowly transitioning to where that driver’s license is just not renewed," Campbell said.
Senior driver Pat McGehee started a discussion with her children about a time in the future when she’ll no longer be behind the wheel.
“I have told them that I wish to drive until I, either I decide or they decide that it’s not a good time and that I would not give them any trouble if they thought I did not need to drive," she said.
It’s a stressful time for everyone, but there are ways to make it fun. For example, AARP offers a safe driving test for the whole family.
“I took the course,” says McGehee, “It’ll be up in October, I’ve already checked on that, because I had a reduction of $60 on my insurance the year that I took that.”
Safe driving is possible at every age. Knowing when to stop can be the safest decision of all.
For more information about the Home Instead tips for safe driving, visit their website.