It is not a conversation that any child wants to have with their parents. At some point, however, you may start to notice the signs and realize it is time for Mom or Dad to hang up their car keys.
It is easy to be torn on this issue. On one hand, your parents are full-grown adults and you, even as an adult yourself, are still their child. You may wonder what right you have to tell them what to do.
On the other hand, you are concerned for their health and safety. You obviously don’t want them to get hurt, and it feels like your responsibility to keep them safe.
It can be hard when the tables turn. However, this situation can be handled with a minimum of hurt feelings if it is done with care, kindness, and compassion.
Look Out For the Warning Signs
The first thing you want to do is make sure that it really is the right time for them to stop driving. Maybe they only have difficulty at night or maybe they have reached an age or place in their life where it seems like it is the right thing to do.
There are certain signs you can watch for, so you can rest easy that you are making the right decision. Keep a lookout for:
- running red lights, stop signs, or braking at the last minute
- difficulty staying in the correct lane
- swerving or changing lanes too often
- poor decision-making skills when it comes to making safe left-handed turns, switching lanes, or merging with traffic
Other signs may present themselves out of the car, too. Watch out for these and make a mental note if:
- they experience confusion more frequently than usual
- they are forgetful about places they have frequently visited
- they got lost making simple trips
- they have difficulty remembering where they parked their car
- you notice new dings, scrapes, and dents on their vehicle
If any of these seem familiar to you, it may be a good time to talk to Mom or Dad about your concerns. They may need to stop driving now, not only for their own health and safety, but for the health and safety of other road users.
How We Can Help
Here at Shelton Care Management, Inc, we understand that this is a real concern. We are here to help you with this challenging discussion. If you are located in Northern or Central California, we can help you with talking points and ways to communicate with a parent who is not on board with this idea.
As you begin to care for aging parents, we know that it is easy to feel alone and unsure. Rest assured that we are here for you and your loved ones.
We can help you facilitate a driving test to assess your parent’s current skill level. You can call on our elder care managers to put together and facilitate family meetings so that you are not tackling this difficult subject alone. We will also help you and your parents learn about the different services available for transportation to help them avoid the isolation or worry that can creep in when a person feels as if they have lost their independence. Our senior care team, serving many areas in Northern and Central California, will work with you to help your loved one maintain control of their lives even if they have to retire their license.
More About Shelton Care Management’s Elder Care Team
If you are looking for elderly or disabled care management services in Northern and Central California, you have come to the right place. Here at Shelton Care Management Inc., we can help you with geriatric care management and services for the disabled. Our management team comprises amazing individuals with many years of combined experience. We have the knowledge, skill, and compassion to work with any client as they move towards a different phase of their life.
We start with comprehensive assessments to gauge the level of care needed, possible risks and future needs, as well as solutions that are personalized to your specific wants and needs. All of our plans are client-specific. No one plan can work for everyone and we are dedicated to bringing you and your loved ones highly individualized care.
We have a vast network of resources to help you with finances, so we can ensure that you are receiving all of the financial help available to you and your loved one.
With our proactive geriatric care managers, we do not just work with you, but create a network for anyone managing your health, finances, and future. We also oversee medication administration, keeping an eye on all medications for potential interactions.
Your health and well-being are our ultimate goal. To this end, we are happy to work with family members to ensure good communication.
You can call us directly at 800-916-6482, or fill out our Contact Form for more information. The first step may be difficult but know that we will be there for you every other step of the way.