Time to Turn Over the Keys

When it’s no longer safe for a senior to drive

At a certain point, an elderly parent must face the fact that it’s no longer safe to drive. Physical, mental or health limitations make it necessary to turn the keys over to someone else. This reality doesn’t mean the senior must be confined to home, but sometimes a little creative thinking is required. A number of choices are available to help seniors get around, do things they enjoy, and maintain a healthy state of mind.

Family Takes Turns

If a number of family members are in the area, designing a schedule in which each takes a turn driving to errands and appointments can work well for all. This method spreads out the responsibility so that no one person is inconvenienced by all of the driving duties and expenses. Sharing driving tasks also allows the senior to interact with a number of family members, giving both parties a chance to catch up on news and events.

Community Elder Services

Many communities have strong elder services programs that provide day care services, community activities and transportation services. Retirement communities often have buses, trolleys and other types of transportation that take residents to the town center.

Public Transportation

If your aging parent is still in good physical condition and can see and hear well enough to use public transportation, this can be a good way to get around town for errands and appointments, as they may even enjoy the social interaction. However, some aging parents may find waiting for buses, negotiating stairways and walking through crowded platforms too taxing. Other family members should occasionally accompany them to ensure they can still manage the tasks of using public transportation. Overall, busses tend to be easier to navigate as there are fewer stairs, the ticketing is more straightforward and standardized, and there is greater likelihood of a personal connection with a transit worker/driver.

Taxis and Car Services

Although taxis and private car services can be expensive, they can be helpful in a pinch. Most cities and towns have taxi services available, and Uber’s ride-on-demand service is growing in popularity in many American cities.

Caregiver Transportation

With the popularity of “aging in place” and seniors choosing to stay in their own homes, new caregiver companies have come into existence to fill the market niche. These agencies provide caregivers that help seniors with a wide variety of tasks, such as housecleaning, laundry, basic medical monitoring, socializing and transportation. The caregiver takes the senior to appointments, supermarkets and other errands around town. The agency generally charges on a per hour and per mile basis. Some of these companies require a minimum amount of days or hour each week, whereas others are more flexible about filling needs. For working family members who are only available to drive the senior during the week, these agencies can be a useful weekday option.

Senior Community

A significant advantage to living in an Independent or Assisted Living community is not only that the building is likely to offer transportation to numerous interesting events and local destinations, there should be plenty of activities on site that make leaving the building unnecessary. When you are choosing such a community, be sure to ask if they have an activities director who is responsible for creating and overseeing such opportunities as an ongoing exercise program, varied and regular entertainment, groups and clubs for residents, and special programs. Ideally there will also be religious services onsite or close by, and the building should be convenient to public transportation, particularly a bus sytem.

Finally, for some older adults, getting around on the Internet is almost as much fun as going in person. If you think your parent might enjoy virtual adventures, computer keys are almost as good as car keys.