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Experienced caregivers know that elderly people can be stubborn when it comes to admitting their driving skills are not what they used to be. To the elderly person, giving up the last bit of freedom and independence is falling victim to the unrelenting grasp of old age. The decision to stop driving may be an emotional one; however, a spouse, caregiver or family has a responsibility to keep the driver and everyone else safe.

Signs That an Elderly Person May Need to Stop Driving

Caregivers are reminded to closely monitor an elderly loved one's driving skills. The older driver may not mention the fender benders he's had lately or may deny he has a problem seeing at night. Grandmother hasn't been taking care of her car like she used to, and she often depends on passengers to tell her when it's safe to make a left turn. Shown below are clues that may indicate an elderly person is having trouble driving safely.

Gets lost frequently in familiar areas.Runs over curbs or has trouble parking.Drifts over driving lane lines or center line.Has difficulty remembering where dashboard controls are.Has physical problems maneuvering. The elder may have trouble turning to see sr22coverage.com out windows. He may not be able to hear approaching sirens, or doesn't seem to notice dangers from the side.Becomes easily agitated or upset while driving, especially in congested areas.Drives too fast or too slow.Asks for help from passengers such as when traffic is clear.Has trouble spotting pedestrians or bicyclists, or even motorcycles.Tailgates or makes frequent hard stops.Hesitates at traffic signals.Causes other drivers to blow their horn.What Can a Caregiver Do to Stop an Elderly Person From Driving?

What happens when there is no alternative but to stop the elderly driver who is a threat to the safety of others? Not only is the elder in danger, but comprehensive insurance so are passengers in the car, other drivers on the road, and pedestrians. Caregivers should be concerned about property damage, as well. Steps a caregiver can take to prevent an elderly person from driving are:

Call a family meeting and have members gently explain to the elderly parent or spouse why he or she should consider giving up driving.Include the elderly person in any discussion about driving problems and concerns, be it with family, a support group, or with professionals.Work with the elderly person's doctor to explain why driving is becoming too dangerous.Offer to drive the person or research alternative methods of transportation. Many towns have very cheap transportation programs for the elderly and people with disabilities.When an elderly person flatly refuses to give up driving:Contact the elder's auto insurance company and ask that the policy be terminated. Get a physician's statement as proof that the elder is an unsafe driver.Inform and ask local law enforcement officials to be on the lookout for the incompetent driver. Again, it helps to have a doctor's statement in hand.Contact the Department of Motor Vehicles. The department may have a specific way for dealing with a senior who may be too impaired to understand why he or she has to stop driving.Take the keys or disable the elderly person's vehicle. Move the vehicle to a location inaccessible to the person.An elderly person may only need new glasses to correct a driving problem. There are also driving courses for the elderly person who would like to improve his or her driving skills. In all fairness to the elderly driver, a caregiver should explore all the possibilities as to why the person is having problems behind the wheel.

In the event there is a valid reason for stopping an unsafe elderly driver - especially one who refuses to give up the driving privilege - it is up to the caregiver to take the responsibility and get the person off the road. Do whatever is necessary to stop the aged person from driving, and know the decision may very well prevent a tragedy.