What To Consider When It's Time To Stop Driving Wednesday, March 1, 2017 What To Consider WhenIt’s Time To Stop Driving (NAPSA)—If you're worried about the safety of an older adult whois driving and probably shouldn't—or about your own safety on the road because yourskills arer’t as sharp as they used to be—yourre notalone. These are common problems—and they now come with expert solutions thanks to health care professionals at the American Geriatrics Society (AGS). With support from the National Highway ‘Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), AGS experts in caring for older adults have put together a toolkit for understanding and assessing safe driving as you age. The toolkit is available from www.HealthinAging.org and it addresses a range of important topics—especially how to talk about when it’s time to stop driving. Thats an important conversation, since stopping driving can affect health and independenceas people age. Giving up the keys can be linked to depression, for example, and may speed up declines in physical and mental health. That makesit crucial to have alternative plans for transportation whenit’s time to stop driving independently. Having the Talk Whenyou've determined that you or an older adult should stop driving, it’s important to make an actionplan. Enlist support. Talk to family and friends. If you need to start a conversation aboutdriving abilities, rehearse the discussion youd like to have. Depend- ing on the circumstances, you may want a friend or family memberto be present to offer support. Have a compassionate conversation. No one wants to feel “ganged up on,’ so frame conversations in a sup- portive way. Don't let anxiety or fear make you sound angry, for example. Discuss specifics and avoid blame. Cite examples: “?'m concerned that we didit stop at the intersection,” or “You seem to be having sometrouble driving home.” Health care professionals such as occupationaltherapists can offer driving evaluations to help you get a sense of driving abilities. Becoming an Older Nondriver Driving often represents independence for older adults. Creating alternative travel plans can help with maintaining that independence even when personaldriving isn’t an option. Makea transportation plan. Con- sider how you or an older person you know drives. Note how frequently you drive and the specifics of each trip (des- tination, distance, time of day and so on). Knowing this information can help you look for alternatives. Researchtravel options. Your health care professional or an Agency on Ag- ing (www.eldercare.gov) can point you in the right direction when looking for what’s available in the neighborhood. ‘Transportation options mayinclude: Volunteer Programs. Some faithbased and community organizations have people who volunteer to drive older adults. Each organization offers different options. Sometimes, rides are free; other times, they may come with a donation or membership dues. Paratransit Services. These include minibuses and small vans run by public trans- portation systems, aging organizations and private agencies. They may require reservations in advancebutthey often offer flexible scheduling options. Generally, paratransit services are provided “curb to @ Door-Through-DoorServices. Some agencies provide drivers or escorts to help older adults get from their homes into a waiting vehicle. This service is particularly helpful for people who have trouble moving or need support while walking. Agencies on Aging can help yousee if this service is available to you, Public Transportation. Buses, trains, subways, trolleys and other mass transit options have established routes and times. They may offer reduced fares for older adults and are generally (but notalways) accessible for people with disabilities. The public transportation department can provide information about fares, schedules and accessibil- ity. Look at options carefully to find a route thatfits your health and personal needs. Taxi Services. Several options exist for accessing private car services. In somecities, you can hail a cab on the street or call ahead for one. Ride services such as Uberor Lyft may be good alternatives if you have a smartphone. If you are a caregiver, arranging these services in advance may give you greater peace of mind. “The bottom line is: Select options that match specific needs for eachtrip,” said Alice Pomidor, M.D., M.PH., A.G.S.F, an AGS expert who led the developmentof the new driving toolkit. “You might even want to list them on yourtransportation plan” For example, if you're worried about hicle at the curb and gets dropped off at a attending a weekly faith-based activity, maybe people from the community can offer rides on a rotating basis. The key is making sure you've gotall the trips covered with a transportation option that at reducedfaresfor older adults. ties and events that are meaningful. curb,’ meaning that a rider meets the ve- curb. In somecases, paratransit is offered can support staying involved in activi- --- PHOTOS --- File: 20190816-163446-20190816-163444-85840.pdf.jpg --- FILES --- File: 20190816-163444-85840.pdf