In Japan, a 90-year-old driver accidentally jumped a curb and ran over pedestrians. In New York during a six-month time frame, three seniors were found dead after forgetting to turn off their cars after parking them in the garage. A school bus crash on a busy interstate in New Jersey occurred when an elderly bus driver made an illegal U-turn.
How Many Seniors Are Involved in Crashes Each Year?
According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, there were about 6.29 million crashes reported to the police in 2015. That equates to approximately 17,472 crashes each day. That same year, the CDC reported that 260,000 seniors were taken to the hospital due to injuries resulting from a crash. That’s 712 seniors each day that go to the hospital after a crash.
Doesn’t Taking Away a License Take Away Independence?
The elderly often feel that loss of a driver’s license is a big step to losing independence. It doesn’t have to be that way. Instead of driving themselves around, your parents could have home care services that include rides from their caregivers. They could walk more. Not only do they get to places they need to be, they’ll also get the daily exercise they need to keep them healthy.
How Do You Talk to Your Parent About Giving Up a License?
Be honest with your parent. Ask them to take you for a drive so that you can evaluate their reaction times and thoroughness checking blind spots. If they balk, ask them to consider taking a senior driving class. These classes have instructors who can evaluate how well your parent drives.
In some cases, additions to the car can keep your parent behind the wheel. An extra mirror can help check blind spots. Cars that have rear cameras, warnings sensors for drifting or other cars, and computer braking can help. If your parent still isn’t safe driving, it’s time to take away the keys.
You may have to enlist the help of a doctor, clergy member, or family friend to help. Your parent may be mad. What’s most important, however, is that they’re safe.
Don’t let the lack of a driver’s license keep your mom or dad from going out and having fun.
Home care professionals can drive your parent to appointments, area museums, senior centers, and stores. Learn more by talking to a home care specialist.
If you or an aging loved one is considering Home Care in Lorton, VA, please contact the caring staff at Access Home Care Inc. Proudly Serving Northern Virginia and Surroundings for over 12 years. Call Us: (703) 765-9350
Sources:
https://crashstats.nhtsa.dot.gov
https://www.cdc.gov/
“My desire to enter into nursing started when one of my older sisters died of kidney disease due to lack of care. At age 15, I decided to enter into nursing so that I could provide quality care to patients.Upon arrival in United States at 21 years of age, I enrolled in T.C Willliams School of Practical Nursing while working as a nursing assistant at a nursing home. I also worked as a part-time home health aide to take of the elderly. After completion of my practical nurse education, I worked in geriatric psychiatry unit at Dominion Hospital and Arlington Correctional facility mental health unit.
I completed Marymount University in 2001 and entered into Home Care as a field case manager.
I held that position for 2 years and as an Administrator, and for another 2 years until Access Home Care was found in 2004."
Today, Access Home Care has over 300 employees and 286 clients.
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