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February 20 • 2014

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If you are not wearing it... sell it!...
or BORROW on it!

Erica Saum
Special to the Jewish News

1897340

t's been a cold, snowy winter.
Between potholes, ice patches and
treacherous traffic, winter is a har-
rowing time of year to be behind the
wheel. These challenging conditions
naturally raise our anxiety level when
loved ones head out on the roads.
Winter can be especially tough for
older adult drivers.
A number of families have called
Eldercare Solutions of Michigan over
the past few months, expressing anxi-
ety about the driving of their aging
parents. Many ask how they can deter-
mine whether an aging parent should
still be driving. It's a complicated ques-
tion, and one that requires thoughtful-
ness and care.
Some older adults are equipped to
drive safely into their 90s, while oth-
ers should stop much earlier. Driving
requires specific physical and mental
capabilities. Good vision, cognition,
reaction time and physical mobility
are all essential. Older adults and their
families should honestly assess these
capabilities on an ongoing basis.
Of course, driving doesn't have to be
an all-or-nothing scenario. An aging
parent might be safe driving in certain
situations. For example, some may
drive only during the day, avoid high-
ways or left turns, or stick to familiar
roads and neighborhoods. Some
families have success with driver reha-
bilitation programs or online courses,
which offer training in adapted vehi-
cles and the use of a driving simulator.
Understandably, many older adults
are reluctant — or even completely
resistant — to talk about their driv-
ing. They may fear that loss of driving
privileges will lead to dependence and
isolation in the home. Families need to
be prepared with information on alter-
native solutions, like local transporta-
tion services or help from a personal
driver, friend or caregiver. It's impor-
tant that aging loved ones maintain
their independence and their social
connections, even if they can't drive.

I recently discussed this issue with
my neighbor. His mother had a minor
accident a few months back, and the
icy roads have kept both of his parents
at home for much of the winter, but
they won't accept rides from a care-
giver as an alternative to driving.
Here are some suggestions that may
help him find a safe solution, but he
may need to have a difficult conversa-
tion soon about giving up driving in
the long term.
Fortunately, there are techniques
for approaching that kind of conversa-
tion. Discussing traffic accidents in
the news can offer logical openings to
explore the dangers of driving and the
natural changes that come with age.
Framing the question in terms of your
own safety or the safety of others can
be a difficult, but necessary way to
engage. "I'm afraid to have the grand-
children ride with you" is a difficult
sentiment to acknowledge, but if a real
safety concern exists, sometimes the
direct approach is the correct one.
Other times, input from a neutral
third party, like a care manager or
doctor, can be helpful. Taking a writ-
ten driving test together and analyzing
the results afterward can provide a
rough assessment of driving ability.
If a loved one becomes a true danger
to himself or others behind the wheel
and won't consider giving up the keys,
you can request a Secretary of State
evaluation through a driving test. This
step should be a last resort and not a
starting point.
While a simple, three-step process
to determine safety behind the wheel
would be ideal, there isn't a one-size-
fits-all solution. Think about your loved
ones, consider their personality and
their lifestyle, keep an open mind to
their perspectives and try multiple ways
to engage them in this decision.

❑

Erica Saum, LMSW, is director of ElderCare

Solutions of Michigan, a program of Jewish

Family Service of Metropolitan Detroit. She

can be reached at (248) 592-2664 or via

www.jfsdetroit.org.

