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The often-sensitive topic of handing over the keys of older drivers became an international conversation last month when the 97-year-old Prince Philip caused a wreck driving. He has stopped driving for good – a difficult thing to do for many seniors who see it as a symbol of independence.
More than 41 million drivers over the age of 65 are on the road today and more than 290,000 seniors have visited emergency rooms in 2016, but a new article in the New England Journal of Medicine states that "l & # Driving abandonment threatens health and well-being. "
Joan Mastrianni, 86, drove to Albany, NY, from the Eisenhower government, while she was in her early twenties. While she's still taking the road with her 89-year-old husband Anthony, to do simple shopping, her daughter Kathy and her siblings worry, as they wonder if Mom should not keep keys locked.
"You do not want to wait for an accident to happen to make that decision – you want to be able to make that decision yourself," Kathy said.
His mother says that they do not drive far and that "being able to go to the library, the church and the grocery store is important". Her husband Anthony added, "Some 40-year-olds should not be driving … and I think people who have good reflexes and good reflexes and who are alert and that vision is good can lead to 90 years old. "
Deciding when to hand over the keys is a personal matter that experts say should not be taken lightly.
"When we get a driver's license, becoming an adult is considered an essential part of the process, so losing your driver's license is just the opposite," said Professor Louise Aronson, Professor of Geriatrics.
During a course in Long Island, New York, seniors such as Lois and Murray Schnipper are honing their skills.
"Seniors have different sizes, packs and abilities, but I do not think we are individually trained to know when we should not drive," said Lois.
This course gives them a reminder of the rules of the road, such as stopping for three seconds, checking his shoulder and keeping his eyes on the road.
"We warn ourselves about some things now, as I say," Lois, you should not be talking with your hands while driving. "Or something like that, little things like that," said Lois's husband, Murray.
Dr. Louise Aronson warns that it is "proven" that "removing keys from an older person" is "absolutely detrimental" to one's health.
"It reduces the ability of people to get to work, to live a fulfilling social life, and socially isolated older adults present enormous health risks – that is, smoking 15 cigarettes a day," said Aronson.
The Mastriannis do not want to give up driving for the moment, but they have a backup plan for when they will park their car for good.
"We like the idea that when you want to do something, you get in the car and you leave, but we have Uber here and everything, if we have to do it in the end," said Anthony Mastrianni.
"When I do not feel safe, I guess I'm going to stop," said his wife, Joan.
When discussing with a loved one the possibility of returning his keys, here are some tips:
- Check for permanent medical conditions that prevent them from driving safely, such as dementia
- Ask them to take a driving test
- Observe their skills yourself
- Register them for driver safety courses
- Look for signs they might need to stop driving, such as tickets, accidents or anxiety driving at night
- When talking to them, focus on their driving skills and not on their age.
- Look for local resources that can help people who can not drive
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