Getting older means you are facing more concerns and one of them could be your driving.  What I’ve learned recently is that by just being aware of the potential problems you have can help keep you safe on the road.

I suspect if you’re over 55 you’ve found some surprises.  We’re always getting warnings when we drive- watch out for construction, road work, closed lane ahead. But when it comes to ourselves, the warning signs are a lot more subtle.

I bring this topic up because one of my colleagues is dealing with this dad’s beginning Alzheimer’s. Studies have shown that driving can be hazardous even with people who have mild dementia. They may continue driving safely for a period of time provided they are regularly evaluated by their doctor. In some states, motorists who are diagnosed with dementia are required to report their condition to the Department of Motor Vehicles which conducts driving tests.

All these rules and regulations and concerns take place because when you drive you make major decisions: make a left turn? Wait for the light? Don’t wait for the light? Turn right on red?  The cognitively impaired driver needs to make a decision in every changing traffic situation and many aren’t able to do that or to do it well.  If you’re older but healthy, for sure you will need to change some of the ways you make decisions  because you won’t be as quick or be able to respond to a situation as quickly.  You modify what you do but  your judgment is still sound.

Here are some steps to improve your judgment:
Get an eye exam. If you can’t see at night, don’t drive when it gets dark. You may need more light to drive than a younger driver and watch out for glare. If you have a lot of glare see your vision specialist about your cataracts.

Get a hearing test. As long as you’re being tested get one more. It’s surprising how much you rely on your ears when you drive. I turn off all audio equipment if I’m traveling a precarious part of the road and have no idea where I am. I do the same thing if the weather is completely awful and driving takes all my concentration. I’ve been doing this since I learned to dry so it has nothing to do with age. I’m convinced it’s the right attitude because it’s been working.

Be careful with medications. Seems like I shouldn’t have to say this because it’s so obvious but you never know.  Lots of medications can interfere with your ability to drive. I just read somewhere that embrel, used by many for adverse spinal stenosis, is among the worse me with side effects.  And watch out for one of your new drugs interacting with an old drug and causing all sorts of problems.

More on this topic in my next post.

Save driving regardless of age,

Ruthan

Ruthan Brodsky
Freelance Health Writer
Freelance Copywriter
Freelance Business Writer

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Filed under: Aging Gracefully

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