Senior Citizens and Driving: Life After Driving

Are you worried that your elderly parent can no longer drive safely?  This series of articles tells you what you can do, including:

1. What the law says about elderly drivers.
2. The process and implications of reporting an unsafe elderly driver.
3. How driving skills are assessed for senior citizens.
4. Can my loved one improve their skills and regain their driver’s license?
5. How to talk to your elderly parent about driving.
6. Dementia – what if my parent forgets they can’t drive?
7. Life after driving.

Life After Driving

Life after driving can still be an adventure!

Losing the ability to drive can be a major turning point in a person’s life.  It means he must depend on other people or professional services for transportation, and he is subject to their schedules, routes, and destinations.   There is the risk that after an older person loses the ability to drive, they will stop doing the things that keep them healthy and engaged – shopping for fresh food, going to doctor’s appointments and filling prescriptions, attending worship services, and going to social functions.

For someone who is used to driving the alternatives are often limited, but there are alternatives.  Public transportation is very helpful in many instances.  In Charlottesville, JAUNT is a very low cost service that can be scheduled in advance to pick up passengers where they live and take them virtually anywhere in the city.  The drivers are helpful and considerate of the elderly, and nearly all the vehicles accommodate wheelchairs.  My clients adore JAUNT, and many would rather take JAUNT than accept rides with friends or with paid services.  (For information about JAUNT, call (434) 296-3184.)

If your loved one is not familiar with public transit, consider taking a few trips together until your loved one gets the hang of it. Make it a little adventure you can enjoy together! Take the time to get to know the driver so they can assist your loved one if necessary.

Making life full of joy and connection after driving

Friends, neighbors, and church groups can also be a tremendous help in not only transporting your loved one, but in using the transportation to keep a social connection going.  At Care is There, our geriatric care managers often stay connected with our clients by driving them to wherever they need to go.  It gives us a chance to see how they are doing with mobility and change, and outings can be cheerful bonding experiences.

Some companion agencies will drive your loved one in their own vehicle.  Some can drive your loved one’s vehicle, and others don’t provide transportation services.  Call the agency and ask for details.  In Charlottesville, see my companion agencies listed in the  “Links and Contacts” at www.careisthere.com.

Entire series on Senior Citizens and Driving:

1. What the law says about elderly drivers.
2. The process and implications of reporting an unsafe elderly driver.
3. How driving skills are assessed for senior citizens.
4. Can my loved one improve their skills and regain their driver’s license?
5. How to talk to your elderly parent about driving.
6. Dementia – what if my parent forgets they can’t drive?
7. Life after driving.