Part of growing older is admitting that certain abilities are changing. One of the most problematic decreasing abilities in seniors that can take a turn for the worst-- literally-- even when they are not ready to admit it is driving.
A-1 Home Care in Los Angeles values the health of its seniors, and provides four key indicators that it's time to consider giving up the car keys below:
- Getting confused by traffic signals. Running red lights or stopping at green ones are two big no-nos out on the road. If you find yourself or a loved one beginning to show a tendency to do these driving hazards when behind the wheel, it's best to stop driving now-- rather than risk the lives of countless people by letting it go on any longer.
- Having accidents or side-swiping other cars when parking. Parallel parking can be tough for just about anybody-- but if you or a loved one are beginning to routinely cut it a little too close, or even start hitting cars in normal parking spaces or otherwise-simplistic slow-speed areas on the road, it might be time to be brutally honest and hand over the keys.
- Getting lost and having to contact others for directions. We've all been lost out on the road before. But if you're getting lost way more than you used to-- even to the point that you have to call friends and family members to find out where you are and how to get to where you were going-- understand that as a sign that your driving days might be best concluded soon.
- Being approached by family and friends about driving. One of the hardest things for a person to do is approach their loved one(s) about a concern for their safety-- particularly when that concern would involve the loved one giving up a decade-long symbol of independence to put everyone at ease again. If a loved one manages the guts to approach you about a decreasing driving ability, see it from their point-of-view-- and realize that the difficulty of telling you merits an ear to their words alone.
For more information about the leading senior care advice in Los Angeles and Orange County, contact A-1 Home Care today at (310) 657-8780, (562) 929-8400, or (949) 650-3800. A-1 Home Care has led the way in elder care options for more than 20 years here in Southern California, including in cities like Downey, Garden Grove, Costa Mesa, Malibu, and Hollywood.
