When Should I Have My Elderly Parent Stop Driving?
There is no set age when older people should stop driving. This is often a difficult topic to bring up with your aging parent, and I often have to have appointments with family members and my patient when they get concerned that their parent shouldn’t be driving anymore. While there’s no set age as to when to stop driving, these are some of the issues to be aware of:
Frequent accidents. If you have been in several accidents in a short period of time, it may be a sign that your driving skills are no longer safe.
Difficulty seeing or hearing. If you have difficulty seeing or hearing, it can make it dangerous to drive.
Memory problems. If you have difficulty remembering things, such as where you are going or what the speed limit is, it can be dangerous to drive.
Slowed reaction time. As we age, our reaction time slows down. This can make it difficult to react quickly to changes in traffic conditions.
Physical problems. If you have physical problems, such as arthritis or back pain, that make it difficult to drive, it may be time to stop.
If you are concerned about your driving ability, it is important to talk to your doctor. They can assess your driving skills and make recommendations about whether or not you should continue driving. Have your primary care physician also reach out to a social worker, who can help with alternative forms of transportation.
