![\"\"](\"https:\/\/toocooltrafficschool.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/09\/grandfather-2043611_640-300x199.jpg\")
<\/p>\n[vc_row][vc_column][vc_custom_heading text=”It’s time to address the elephant in the room…. When should you take away the keys from seniors?” google_fonts=”font_family:Anton%3Aregular|font_style:400%20regular%3A400%3Anormal”][vc_column_text]We focus a lot of our attention on getting young drivers prepared and ready to drive, but they aren’t the only ones who are operating vehicles. All sorts of people in all age brackets drive. But eventually, it becomes unsafe to continue.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
Seniors are often well-loved, and they still have a lot of life and vitality left in them. Nobody wants to see them placing themselves or others at risk! However, it can be difficult for them to accept the fact that it’s time to stop driving… especially when they’ve been driving for several decades. How do you know when it’s time to take away the keys from seniors?<\/p>\n
Generally, as you age, certain tasks become more difficult. It can take more effort, or just generally take longer to do tasks such as:<\/p>\n
So, what’s the problem with taking away the car keys from a senior loved one? Well, when you take away their car, it often removes their freedom of mobility. When it’s time for them to stop driving, how can you transition them to a mobile and happy lifestyle while also getting them off the road?<\/strong>[\/vc_column_text][vc_custom_heading text=”#1: Talk to Them About Your Concerns” google_fonts=”font_family:Anton%3Aregular|font_style:400%20regular%3A400%3Anormal”][vc_column_text]Put yourself in their shoes and remember that one day, your child or grandchild may be having the same conversation with you. If they insist that they are still capable of driving safely, convince them to demonstrate their driving ability to you or a driving instructor. Each older adult should be considered individually. After all, not every person will struggle with the same things! There is no specific age that someone should stop driving.<\/p>\n Based on the discussions and interactions with your loved one, they may decide on their own to stop driving. It’s also possible that it still isn’t time for them to hang their keys up for good because they can still drive safely. You’ll need to make judgement calls.<\/strong>[\/vc_column_text][vc_custom_heading text=”#2: Get the State Involved” google_fonts=”font_family:Anton%3Aregular|font_style:400%20regular%3A400%3Anormal”][vc_column_text]If you’re confident that they are no longer capable of being a safe driver, then you should consider your next plan of action. It can cause a terrible strain on relationships when one person (or the whole family) is trying to do something that ultimately takes away a substantial part of your freedom of mobility. For this reason, some people opt to use reporting features on their state driver regulatory agency to report when a driver may be medically unfit to drive.[\/vc_column_text][vc_message icon_fontawesome=”fa fa-check”]Example:<\/strong> In Florida, any physician, person or agency to report to Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles (FLHSMV) an applicant or licensed driver who may not safely operate a motor vehicle due to a medical condition. These referrals must be based on medical conditions or symptoms that could affect safe driving and not the age of the driver<\/em>. (View the form<\/a>)[\/vc_message][vc_column_text]When a medical review is requested, it is common for the advisory board to request a health checkup. If the general health of the driver is unacceptable or they don’t provide the requested documents in time, then their license may be suspended. However, if their general health is acceptable to the medical advisory board, then the person may be able to maintain or re-acquire their driver’s license after taking and passing the following:<\/p>\n These requirements help to ensure that senior drivers are still able to cognitively and physically operate a vehicle safely.<\/p>\n During this time, be supportive of your senior loved one and help them schedule the necessary tests. If they can meet all of the requirements, then they should still be able to drive safely.<\/strong>[\/vc_column_text][vc_custom_heading text=”#3: Find Resources to Keep them Mobile & Happy” google_fonts=”font_family:Anton%3Aregular|font_style:400%20regular%3A400%3Anormal”][vc_column_text]Consider different options that are available in your local area that will help your loved one do basic tasks such as going grocery shopping and getting to doctor appointments.<\/p>\n [\/vc_column_text][vc_message icon_fontawesome=””]Example:<\/strong> Some areas have nonprofit organizations that offer transportation for seniors for free or at a very low cost so that they can get groceries, attend medical appointments and visit loved ones. One of these is Senior TranServe<\/a> which operates in Brevard County, FL.[\/vc_message][vc_column_text]<\/p>\n [\/vc_column_text][vc_message icon_fontawesome=”fa fa-check”]Community ties:<\/strong> A lot of young people ride buses. Seniors have a wealth of knowledge to share but there is a disconnect between the generations because we live so independently from others when we drive cars. When seniors ride the bus, they have the opportunity to connect with young people during the ride and share some wisdom.[\/vc_message][vc_column_text]<\/p>\n [\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column][\/vc_row]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" [vc_row][vc_column][vc_custom_heading text=”It’s time to address the elephant in the room…. When should you take away the keys from seniors?” google_fonts=”font_family:Anton%3Aregular|font_style:400%20regular%3A400%3Anormal”][vc_column_text]We focus a lot of our attention on getting young drivers prepared and ready to drive, but they aren’t the only ones who are operating vehicles. All sorts of people in all age brackets drive. But… Continue reading How do you know when a senior should stop driving and what do you do next?<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":3,"featured_media":10792,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_eb_attr":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[49],"tags":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/toocooltrafficschool.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/10769"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/toocooltrafficschool.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/toocooltrafficschool.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/toocooltrafficschool.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/3"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/toocooltrafficschool.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=10769"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/toocooltrafficschool.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/10769\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/toocooltrafficschool.com\/wp-json\/"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/toocooltrafficschool.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=10769"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/toocooltrafficschool.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=10769"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/toocooltrafficschool.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=10769"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}Consider:<\/strong><\/h3>\n
\n
\n
Senior Transportation Options:<\/strong><\/h3>\n
\n
\n
\nIf you plan to get them used to bus transit, it would be a good idea to provide them with the bus schedule and go on a few bus trips with them to make sure they feel comfortable and understand how it all works.<\/em><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n
\n