Signs That Your Aging Parent Should No Longer Be Driving
Home Care in Buffalo Grove IL
Driving is one of those tasks that most people look forward to as they grow up. It is a big step in becoming independent and a representation of freedom, control, and autonomy. There comes a time in a person’s life, however, when their age and challenges make it so that they should no longer be behind the wheel. This can be a challenging time for them, and for you, but as a family 
caregiver it is essential that you recognize when your aging loved one should no longer be driving and be willing to step up and make the changes necessary to protect them and everyone else on the road.
Some signs that your aging parent should no longer be driving include:
- Damage to the vehicle. Pay close attention to the condition of your aging parent’s vehicle each time you are at their home. Note damage such as scratches, scrapes, dents, missing mirrors, or broken windows that might indicate that they have gotten into accidents with or without another vehicle. Keep in mind that these signs of damage might not be severe. Scraping against a wall, bumping someone’s vehicle, or running into a guardrail might only cause a small amount of damage to the vehicle but can indicate serious problems.
- Taking longer to run errands. If your aging parent is suddenly taking longer to do the basic errands that they have always done, it could be a sign that they are experiencing cognitive limitations, such as the early stages of Alzheimer’s disease. This would make it very dangerous for them to be out driving on their own.
- New physical challenges. Low vision, hearing loss, and pain and stiffness in the hands and joints can all compromise your parent’s safety when driving. These new issues might make it difficult for them to interpret the actions of the drivers around them, or to perform tasks such as steering or pressing the pedals effectively, making it challenging for them to drive safely.
If you are concerned about your aging parent’s safety with continued driving or they have recently stopped driving due to a health concern or limitation, now is the time to start considering home care for them. An in-home senior care services provider can provide your aging parent with safe, reliable transportation so that they are able to go where they want and need to go, when they want and need to go there. This means that they are not always relying on you to bring them to these places and are able to customize their days to suit their needs and desires. This expression of independence and freedom helps to boost their mental and emotional health, give them greater confidence, and support an overall more active, engaged, and fulfilling quality of life throughout their later years. This also relieves stress on you knowing that if your parent needs to go somewhere such as a doctor’s appointment or the grocery store, you know that they will be able to get there safely even if your schedule does not permit you to bring them there yourself.
If you or an aging loved one are considering home care in Buffalo Grove, IL, contact the caring staff at Companion Services of America today at (847) 943-3786. Our home care service area includes Northbrook, Highland Park, Deerfield, Glenview, Buffalo Grove, Evanston, Des Plaines, Skokie, Lake Forest, Wilmette and the surrounding areas.
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