HANGING UP THE CAR KEYS

Mark C asks: It is time for my dad to hang up the car keys for good but he insists he is fine and continues to drive. We have had the conversation about not driving several times but he just gets more and more irritated with me. If I take away his keys, he pulls out one of the many spares he has hidden. I am scared for his life and others, what else can I do?
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This is a common problem, as many elderly are not ready to admit it is time to retire from driving. It is a big loss of independence and blow to their pride. Different techniques work for different people, some like to keep it in the family and bug mom or dad until they give in. Some just take the car away completely even if it means hurting their relationship. The key is to not make mom or dad feel like a child, like you are taking a toy away because they misbehaved. Sometimes it best to get help outside of the family. There are many programs across the country, some associated with the police, which are designed to handle these situations and provide proper information. Here at Lily Home Care, we are involved in such a program that will send someone to your home, evaluate your family member’s driving based on specific criteria, and decide if is safe to drive. We will take on the burden of that stressful conversation and are trained with the correct techniques to deal with the most stubborn of drivers.


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*All information is meant as advice based on personal experience and should not be referred to as medical data.