Sure, you’re only concerned about your senior’s safety when driving and sure, you have already observed how he drives and you know it has gone terrible but there’s no way you can easily make your senior hand over the keys to you. No, not yet, especially if you don’t know how to negotiate. Let’s just say that asking your senior to give up driving is more like asking him to move to a hospice. Yes, it’s that bad.
Picture this, you just learned how to drive and you already bought your first car, no matter how run-down your first car looked like, what was the first thing you ever felt upon riding your car and clutching the steering wheel? It’s independence. The ability to go places as you wish, when you wish. That’s what you’re going to ask from a senior who drove miles and took you places when you were a kid.
Experts suggest that you gradually ask your seniors to, little by little, make some changes on their driving. It should give everyone some time to adjust to these changes without offending anyone involved. It is important to remember that there will be reactions coming from your senior—and it should be expected—but deep down inside them, they know it is also the best thing for them no matter how much they won’t admit it. Also, if you are not the primary caregiver, it is also necessary to talk with the caregiver regarding these changes as the added responsibility of driving the senior to and fro will fall upon their shoulders.
Planning is also important. It will help your senior to put confidence in you—like you know exactly what you’re doing—thus respecting your decisions or at the very least, listen to what you are trying to say. Expect to have negative emotions and take an extra mile to let them know you care for them—that’s why you’re doing these things.
Look for good opportunities to start a casual conversation with your senior. With little subtlety, express your concern about their driving and their safety while driving. Never attack a senior no matter what the reaction is. You just have to be patient on this one.
When talking with your senior, you should offer alternatives that are also comfortable for them. Like I said earlier, you should have a plan before you go over and talk to them. With a plan, it will be easier to convince them that it is time for them to just sit back, relax and enjoy the ride.
