Senior care is aimed to let elders live out their golden years happily and independently. But many seniors fail to notice that they cannot perform some activities as well as they used to, such as driving a car. If you have a senior relative or parent who still drives, there are a few things you should be watching for in ensuring that it is safe for your loved one to be behind the wheel.

Health Status

Many health impairments render a person an unsafe driver, regardless their age. Some of these commonly set in when people grow older, such as arthritis, which makes it hard to keep track of obstacles when backing out the driveway or changing lanes. Dementia is another health condition, which can lead to traffic infractions, and even cause the person to get lost in an unfamiliar neighborhood. Check with a physician if he has any of these problems and see if they are safe to drive. If not, see about getting them the services of a good senior care service that provide transportation services.

Medications

There are medications that make it impossible for someone to drive safely after taking them. Be aware of anything your elder is consuming which has potential side effects. Ask the doctor if it is a good idea for them to be driving by themselves, and if there is viable alternative medication, which would not restrict them the same way. If not, you may have to make sure they take their pills on time, as well as stay off the driver’s seat.

Observe Their Driving

Be in the car with them when they drive and evaluate their abilities behind the wheel. How much does it take to rile them when things do not go smoothly? How fast are their responses to unexpected situations? Check these things and decide if your elder should be doing any driving at all. A huge part of senior care is making sure that your elder follows safe habits.