Driving affords a certain level of freedom. It allows us to run errands, see friends and socialize, and travel to our favorite places. However, as we age, issues like hearing loss or vision impairment and chronic conditions (such as Alzheimer’s) can rob us of this freedom. If you have an older loved one and are worried about their driving habits, here are a few signs that it may be time for them to stop driving. However, they don’t have to give up all of their freedom! If you notice these issues, consider some solutions to address them. Problem: Slowed Reaction Time Quick reaction times are necessary when driving since you can never predict what another driver will do. However, vision loss, hearing concerns, and joint pain can limit how quickly a person can respond to obstacles as they appear when driving. This can lead to increased rates of accidents or “missed calls.” WORRIED ABOUT AN OLDER ADULT DRIVING? 3 PROBLEMS AND SOLUTIONS
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2. Select a dog that is right for your family. Do your research on breeds and determine what breed of dog you and your family can thrive with. Train the dog, provide regular exercise, and spay/neuter. 3. Educate your family and children on how to approach dogs. If you don’t know how, look it up. If you and your family need more training on it, go to training with the dog or have a trainer come to your home so everyone is on the same page. 4. Avoid risky situations. You should avoid petting a dog when it is sleeping or eating, not with its owner, or the owner doesn’t give you permission to pet the dog. Also avoid the dog if it is growling or barking, sick or injured, resting with her puppies and not sure about your presence, seeking alone time, or located on the other side of the fence. 5. Pay attention to body language. Like humans, a dog’s body language can help us know if they are feeling scared, stressed, or threatened. 6. Read your homeowners insurance policy or required renter’s insurance policy. You want to make sure you have a policy that covers dog bites, especially certain breeds. If you find yourself in a sticky situation with a dog bite, obey local rules and laws, separate the dog from the scene, and always provide the victim the current rabies information and your contact information. If your dog has bitten someone, it’s very important to talk with your veterinarian about future behavior and advice that will help prevent future bites. Contact me if you have been the victim of a dog bite, know someone who has, or want additional information. Enjoy ALL the puppy kisses and hug your dogs frequently. It reduces blood pressure, too! For quality and affordable vaccines, heartworm medication, and spay and neutering at a low cost, check out Texas Coalition for Animal Protection at TexasForThem.com .
Solutions: Plan the route, drive during times with less traffic, and ask a friend to accompany them.
Problem: Cognitive Decline It’s estimated that 55 million people around the world have dementia, which impacts older adults at a higher rate. Driving can be difficult for those with dementia because it requires the use of fine motor skills, quick decision- making, and a strong memory — all of which can be lost to dementia. Solutions : Seek transportation services from community groups, establish a family rotation for driving, and find at-home services that reduce the need to drive. Problem: Poor Vision General use and wear of our bodies can cause our vision to deteriorate, and while we need many of our senses to drive safely, vision is the most important. When a person cannot see well, they may struggle to read traffic signs, notice traffic speeds changing, see during various times of the night or day, or notice pedestrians or other objects in the road. Solutions: Always use prescription eye correction, don’t drive at times where it is particularly difficult to see, and regularly see an optometrist to monitor the situation. No matter your situation, you deserve proper compensation if you are injured as the result of someone else’s negligence. If you would like to learn more, please call us today! Remember, we don’t bark … we bite!
–Matt Aulsbrook
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