Senior Driver Safety

Excerpted from: Dr. Tom Harding’s Book…

“You CAN Prevent Alzheimer’s!”- Get the book here.

Senior Safety includes keeping seniors safe in the community and on the road.  A time will come when the dreaded conversation of removing driving privileges will arrive.  In fact- if your loved one represents an increased risk to self and others on the road- it's time to take a closer look at their driving abilities.

"So- how did you get your car in the tree??"

I've been evaluating seniors for many years now- and I can tell you that if I asked this lady 5 minutes before she put her car in that tree, "Are you a good driver?"

They always say "Yes- I'm a very good driver!" 

Trying to tell your parent that it's time to give up the keys is one of the toughest conversations you will have- and I recommend you don't go it alone.  You will always be a child in your parent's eyes- and what do children know?

Case in point- I once had a huge- 6'6" 350 pound police officer (he filled the door frame!) wearing his uniform bring to my office his mother- a frail little thing standing next to him, and he wanted her evaluated for driving.

When the tests came back indicating poor ability, I told her it was time to stop driving. No sooner did I say that did he exclaim, "See Mom?? I told you- you can't drive anymore!" 

Now if a huge officer of the law can’t convince his mother to stop driving- you now have an idea of what you are up against!

If you have been avoiding having "the talk" with a parent about their driving, you are not alone. Most people avoid the conversation altogether. 

Here at the Maui Memory Clinic we have tests that evaluate an individual's cognitive abilities necessary for safe driving. Abilities such as visual processing speed, useful field of vision, visuospatial attention, multi-tasking ability, and adequate reaction time or psychomotor speed are imperative for safe driving.

If the test results come back not so favorable- we can start the conversation with patient and their family to help with the removal of the driving privileges.  This can help salvage your relationship with your loved one, by not being the bad guy. 

We can be the bad guy for you!

Don't wait until they hurt themselves, another driver, or even worse- an innocent pedestrian!

I once had a senior driver explain to me that she was going down a road the wrong way "because the road was open with no traffic."  

I have also treated a pedestrian who was on the sidewalk, and was hit by a distracted senior driver. The pedestrian sustained a bad head injury and was never the same. His lawyers went after the senior's assets and won in court to help pay for the care that the pedestrian now needed. 

Don't wait until it is too late!