Families frequently question the driving ability and safety of their older family members with comments or concerns such as:   

“Do you think he should be behind the wheel?”  

“She got lost driving to the dentist!” 

“He backed into the neighbor’s car this time!”

“Do you think we should take away her keys?”

This is a dilemma that will increase as our population ages, and the number of older adult drivers increases.  According to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention, drivers ages 80 and older have higher crash death rates per mile driven than all teen drivers.

The Eden Prairie Professionals in Aging (EPPIA), a network of senior professionals based in Eden Prairie and devoted to providing services for area seniors,  responded to this issue during a recent bimonthly informational meeting.  EPPIA members and older adults in the community met to dialog about transportation needs, concerns and resources.  From this discussion EPPIA collected and evaluated materials from a variety of sources that evaluate drivers’ abilities and provide alternative transportation to individuals who are no longer capable of driving. The information has been compiled into a Transportation Resource Kit available at the Eden Prairie Library, Senior Center and many local senior service providers.   The information is also posted on the EPPIA website at www.edenprairieaging.org.  

Here is a preview of the information contained in the Transportation Resource Kit. 

Keep in mind the balance between independence and safety represented in driving

• Driving represents

          Independence and freedom     

          Competence, control and a means of maintaining productivity      

          Access to healthcare and social networks

• Resources are available to help restore safe transportation modes

• Create opportunities to observe the person while he/she is driving

          Keep a written record of observed behaviors over a period of time 

• Begin conversations about driving early on

          Take advantage of bringing up the subject during changes in medical status           

          Share observations with the driver, other family members, health care professionals            

         Anticipate possible family disagreements about the situation     

         Talk to members in a caregiver support group for tips 

• Anticipate Driver Response

         “Just because I get lost doesn’t mean I cannot drive”     

         “I make sure I look where I am going”     

         “I’ve driven for years without an accident” 

• Assist driver in assessing the situation further

          Enroll in a driver refresher course           

          Discuss the situation with health care provider or social worker           

         Complete a professional driver assessment* which generally consists of  

1. Clinical information such as cognition, perceptual, emotional and physical status.                       
2. Vision and reaction time assessment 
3. In-vehicle and on the street driving assessment           

      *Courage Center is an example of  local service provider that offers driving assessments                  

• Report concerns to the Minnesota Department of Public Safety at dps.state.mn.us/dvs and click on At Risk Drivers, or call (651) 201-7000.

• Assist the driver in accessing possible solutions

          Reduce driving in hazardous conditions, nighttime, busy roads, etc           

         Utilize alternate modes of transportation such as taxi service, bus, Metro Mobility            

        Utilize home delivery of goods and services           

        Employ paid or volunteer drivers to do the driving           

        Take keys away as a last resort           

These types of situations and conversations can be difficult, as the boundaries between relationships are stretched or reversed.   As challenging as it may be to restrict or eliminate the freedom and mobility that driving affords a family member or friend, it could be the most loving thing a person can do.  The best time to find alternatives to unsafe driving habits is before an accident occurs.  In the long run, ensuring your loved one is safe to continue driving will also ensure that everyone is safe on the road, and ultimately spare family members from the grief of wondering , “if only I had done something sooner…”.  

Submitted by:   Joanne Bartel, Barbara Howe, Christine Rowland, Lisa Schmidtke, Elizabeth Stroner.