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Author: Dan Nathanson

Driving is more than just practical for many seniors. It’s also very often a symbolic experience that ties into independence and freedom. Physical and cognitive limitations that arise with age can mean that driving is no longer safe, however, meaning it’s time for aging adults to consider letting someone else drive. Home care providers can step in and do the driving, which helps seniors to stay safe and still get where they need to go.

Recognizing the Signs of Unsafe Driving

Driving abilities often decline with age, but these signs might not be noticeable unless family caregivers are looking for them. Reaction times slow down, for example, making it more difficult for seniors to respond to sudden changes in traffic or conditions on the road. Changes in vision and hearing can impair driving ability, too. If seniors are experiencing cognitive changes, that could mean that they’re having more trouble behind the wheel.

Emotions and Giving Up Driving

Giving up driving isn’t as cut and dry as it sounds. There are a lot of emotions wrapped up in the idea of no longer driving. Seniors may feel as if they’re losing freedom and control over their daily lives. They may not want to feel as if they’re becoming a burden on family members and friends. They may also worry that they’re not going to be able to maintain social engagements any longer. Seniors may need some reassurances about these situations before they willingly agree that it’s time to stop driving.

When to Consider Home Care for Transportation

Home care services can offer all sorts of assistance to seniors. They offer compassionate care with household tasks, personal care tasks, and they can also help with transportation. If seniors still have a variety of places to go and people to see, then home care providers can be a huge help with transportation. Seniors remain safe and they also have on-demand transportation, keeping them engaged with the world around them.

Benefits of Letting Elder Care Providers Drive

So often family caregivers just can’t be there every moment that their seniors need them to be. That’s when home care providers can truly be an incredible solution. In terms of transportation assistance, letting elder care providers doing the driving relieves stress for both seniors and family caregivers. Everyone involved also experiences peace of mind knowing that seniors are traveling safely wherever they need and want to go. Seniors retain independence, instead of feeling restricted because they no longer drive.

Approaching the Conversation

Talking about all of this is sometimes more difficult than family caregivers expect. This is a major life change for aging adults, so family caregivers have to tread lightly. It’s important for family caregivers to speak up as soon as they notice changes in driving behaviors. Sometimes it can help to involve healthcare providers in the discussion, too. Presenting alternatives, like letting home care providers drive, reassures aging adults that they aren’t going to be stuck at home alone.

Giving up driving is not something for seniors to do lightly. It’s a decision that requires careful planning and discussion. Family caregivers are more likely to get the results they want if they present a solid solution like hiring home care services to take over the driving.

If you or an aging loved one are considering home care in Agoura, CA, please contact the caring staff at Home Helpers Home Care of Ventura County today at (805) 386-1031.

Home Helpers Home Care of Ventura County provides exceptional home care for seniors in Thousand Oaks, Westlake, Ventura, Camarillo, Simi Valley, Agoura, West Hills, Canoga Park, Chatsworth, Topanga and surrounding areas.