Driving and Transportation

At some point, you may need to have a candid conversation with your loved one regarding his driving skills and comfort on the road, says Elinor Ginzler, director of Livable Communities at AARP. Ask if your loved one can turn his head easily to check for traffic in other lanes. Can he quickly move his foot from the accelerator to the brake pedal? Also ask if he’s had any near misses while driving, if he’s gotten lost and if he’s had any difficulty seeing signs. He may need to limit his driving to certain times of day and/or to certain locations. If he does decide to drive less or if he hangs up his car keys for good, you, as a caregiver, should offer mobility options to keep him engaged in his community.