You may have been dreading this day since your loved one found out he has Alzheimer’s disease. He’s probably been dreading it as well. Being able to drive is almost as much a normal part of life as being able to pick out what clothes you want to eat each day or choosing which TV shows you should watch. It is not something that many people imagine they’ll have to give up someday. Have plans beforehand for all of her regular travels such as Alzheimer’s care providers for appointments and errands, family members for weekend outings, and neighbors for church visits.

Why Does Driving Become Difficult for Those With Alzheimer’s?

Alzheimer’s Care Selma CA – Tips for Helping Your Loved One Retire From Driving

Alzheimer’s disease attacks a person’s cognitive functions. As it progresses, the person has less and less ability to solve problems, remember key facts, and process incoming data. Losing those abilities can make it dangerous for your loved one to try to navigate the roads with other drivers since she may not be able to properly react when something unexpected occurs on the road. With her loss of memory, she also runs the risk of becoming confused and lost.

Tips to Help Your Loved One Retire from Driving When She Doesn’t Want to

It would be easy if your loved one simply handed over her car keys and agreed to never drive again, but for many caregivers, that’s not the response they receive from their loved ones. Your loved one may see this step as a removal of an important freedom in her life and balk at the suggestion that she can no longer drive. And because her cognitive functions may already be in decline, she may not be able to recognize that she cannot drive safely anymore. In these cases, you and her Alzheimer’s care aide may have to take some additional steps to ensure she no longer gets behind the wheel.

Seek the support of a trusted source. Your loved one may simply not want to hear it from you but will understand the decision if it is provided by a trusted source like her doctor or the family attorney. Other care providers such as her Alzheimer’s care provider who visits the home regularly can be a trusted source.

Find other transportation solutions. You don’t want to take away driving privileges without having another way for your loved one to get to the places she not only needs to visit but wants to visit. She might ask about how she’ll get to church, the grocery store, or her doctor’s appointments. This is something her Alzheimer’s care provider can assist with.

Arrange for delivery services. Now is the time to find out what items can be delivered, reducing the amount of driving time needed. Items such as groceries, prescriptions, and meals can often be delivered right to the home.

Hide the car keys. Removing your loved one’s ability to have access to the keys will ensure she doesn’t grab them when you aren’t looking.

Physically remove the car or disable it. If your loved one is inclined to drive when you are out, make sure she can’t by either removing the vehicle completely or making it impossible to drive.

This can be a stressful situation, so practice empathy and understanding when your loved one is frustrated about not being able to drive while holding your ground on this important safety decision. These tips can be useful for you and her Alzheimer’s care providers to follow.

If you or an aging loved one are considering Alzheimer’s Care Services in Selma CA, please get in touch with the caring staff at Everlight Home Care today. Call us at 559-353-2847.

Private Duty Home Care in Fresno, Madera, Kern Counties, and surrounding communities. Call us 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

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Gina Kendall

Gina Kendall has over 25 years of work experience serving the aging and the disabled. Her extensive experience in care and management began as a Social Services Coordinator in skilled nursing facilities. While working in this capacity, she became aware of the need for, and the importance of, good, quality, home care. Gina worked with families to keep their loved ones home and avoid a return visit to the hospital. As she continued her career of service, she began working with the disabled population helping to expand and improve their independence throughout all aspects of life.

This combination of experiences has afforded Gina a unique view of the needs of the aging and the disabled and how to best serve those needs in a home setting.

Gina’s Central Valley roots run deep. She earned her BA degree from Fresno State in 1993 and has lived and worked in Fresno for the past 20 years. In addition to raising her family in Fresno, she is actively involved in her local church and is a volunteer for various local community organizations.

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