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For most adults, driving is a necessary part of life often taken for granted. For the elderly,
driving represents freedom, independence and even competence. It offers a way to visit friends,
go out to eat, attend religious services or just get out of the home without relying on someone
else.
The problem is, driving skills inevitably deteriorate with age. For elders as a group, declining
skills correspond to increasing accidents. Although many elders maintain safe driving habits well into
their 80s, others must learn to rely on other modes of transportation.
As a caregiver, you should help your elder prepare for limiting or stopping driving in the future.
Discuss this topic gently and compassionately. If you worry your elder is already unable to drive safely,
take action now. Remember that giving up driving can be very difficult. Everyone involved should approach
this matter with patience and sensitivity.
How Aging Affects Driving
By themselves, none of the following changes or conditions automatically indicate that an individual should
stop driving. They do require paying more attention to driving safety, staying alert to changing capabilities
and seeking the advice of a qualified physician.
The following age-related changes and conditions increase the risk of unsafe driving.
| Physical Changes |
- Slowing reaction time, which diminishes further with the number and complexity of choices.
- Decreasing flexibility and limited range of motion in the neck, shoulders, wrists and elbows.
- Deteriorating vision, often caused by cataract, glaucoma, macular degeneration or diabetic eye disease.
- Fading hearing sensitivity, especially to high-pitched tones such as sirens, horns and railroad warnings.
- Weakening muscle strength, especially grip strength.
- Getting lost while driving.
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| Medical Conditions |
- High blood pressure.
- Arthritis.
- Alzheimer’s disease, dementia or memory loss.
- Heart disease.
- Diabetes.
- Parkinson’s disease.
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| Medications |
Many over-the-counter and prescription medications cause drowsiness, sap energy, slow reaction times and affect vision.
These include but are not limited to the following.
- Some antihistamines.
- Benzodiazepines (a class of
sedatives).
- Antidepressants.
- Glaucoma medications.
- Muscle relaxants.
When taking a new medication, your elder should avoid driving for 1–2 days to make sure no adverse effects occur.
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The USAA Educational Foundation publication, The Effects Of Aging On Driving Skills, offers more information.
Discuss Your Concerns
If you worry your loved one is no longer able to drive safely, talk with your elder about your observations and concerns.
- Express your desire for your loved one’s well-being and independence.
- Be very clear about specific problems you have observed.
- Actively listen to your elder’s concerns.
- Assure your loved one that giving up driving does not mean giving up activities and outings. Share your
willingness to arrange alternate means of transportation.
- Emphasize that the right to drive is a safety issue for your elder and others. Your loved one will more
willingly cooperate if they understand their driving could put others at risk.
Assess Driving Skills
Ride with your elder and watch for signs of unsafe driving. Consider a safe driving course offered by an adult education program,
local rehabilitation center or the American Association of Retired Persons (AARP). As driving abilities decline, many elders limit
their driving to daytime and familiar routes.
Schedule Physical Exams
A physician can assess your elder’s driving ability by testing reflexes, strength and other factors. Regular eye and hearing exams
can determine whether your elder’s eyesight meets your state’s visual requirements for driving and whether there is a decrease in
hearing ability. Talk with the physician about your concerns while your loved one is present.
Report Your Concerns
Some states have a process for reporting diminished driving capabilities to the Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) and will take
action according to your state’s regulations and your elder’s disabilities. Your physician may be required to report to the DMV
if there is an issue of public safety. Even if your state’s DMV does nothing more than send a letter, it may convince your elder
to stop driving.
A Last Resort
If your elder is clearly unsafe on the road and all other measures have failed, a family member with a power of attorney or a
court-appointed guardian may have the right to take the keys or sell the vehicle. This measure is drastic and should be taken
only as a last resort. However, it may be necessary to preserve the safety of your loved one, other drivers and pedestrians.
Assure your elder that you will help arrange alternate modes of transportation.
Driving Alternatives
Giving up driving does not mean giving up activities and outings. Determine your loved one’s transportation needs and plan
ways to meet them. Local hospitals, community service agencies, community centers, places of worship and other organizations
may offer transportation programs for seniors. Hiring a driver or taxi may be less expensive than the cost of gas, maintenance
and insurance for a vehicle.
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Education
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