Issue link: https://viewer.e-digitaledition.com/i/767445
December 29 • 2016 45 T he first conversation with your elderly loved one about safety and driving needs to happen long before driving becomes a problem. Before your elder gets in a car accident, runs over the neighbor's cat or crunches the bumper of his vehicle, the family needs to discuss options with care and compassion for the role a car plays in self-esteem, independence and transportation. This is tough love; you must respect this individual's maturity and guide them to a place of safety. Seniors over the age of 65 years old have a 70 percent chance of being injured in a car accident. They are also four times more likely to be seriously injured and hospitalized in an accident than a 16- to 24-year-old driver because their bones are often more brittle and their bodies less flexible and resilient. Any number of factors could impair driving including changes in vision, range of motion that would inhibit the ability to check for blind spots, certain medications that affect drowsiness and comprehension or a problem with alcohol consumption. Also, dementia may come on slowly, affecting clarity and reaction time. When you see early warning signs (see the list in this article) you need to have a conversation — or series of conversations. You must be very careful — and tactful — to balance your concerns with your elder's sense of independence and maturity. Driving is viewed as a ticket to freedom. A spouse is often the best person to approach first, especially if this is someone with tact and history who can frame the dilemma in an understandable manner. Others may listen better to a voice of authority, such as a rabbi or physician. Car Keys When your senior loved one should not drive… What can you do to help? Maureen McDonald ͮŽŶƚƌŝďƵƟŶŐtƌŝƚĞƌ Photos by Jerry Zolynsky 12 Signs of Elders' Driving Problems ͻ Riding over lawns/curbs/gardens ͻ Trouble navigating turns ͻ Moving into a wrong lane ͻ Parking inappropriately ͻ Driving too fast/too slow ͻ Delayed responses to unexpected situations ͻ Not paying attention/falling asleep at wheel ͻ Increased agitation or irritation when driving ͻ Scrapes or dents on car, garage or mailbox ͻ Car accident ͻ Ticketed — moving violations or warnings ͻ Confusing brake and gas pedals Senior Helpers ^ĞŶŝŽƌ,ĞůƉĞƌƐŚĂƐƚǁŽůŽĐĂƟŽŶƐƚŽƐĞƌǀĞLJŽƵ͗ Oakland and Western Wayne County: 28200 Orchard Lake, Suite 111 Farmington Hill, MI 48334 Offi ce: (248) 865-1000 Eastern Wayne and Macomb County 18080 Mack Ave. Grosse Pointe, MI, 48230 Offi ce: (313) 885-0600 Senior Helper Marla Walters of Novi and Enid Cherniak of West ůŽŽŵĮĞůĚƐŚĂƌĞĂ moment on Cherniak's couch. Above: Nurse Kevin Snycerski of Livonia talks with Trudy Gilpin of the Botsford Commons in Farmington Hills. ,ĂǀŝŶŐĂƚƌĂŝŶŝŶŐƐĞƐƐŝŽŶŽŶƚŚĞ,ŽLJĞƌ>ŝŌ (a device used to help get people out of bed) are Client Care Coordinator Vanessa Cross of >ŝǀŽŶŝĂ͕džĞĐƵƟǀĞƐƐŝƐƚĂŶƚ<ŝĂŶĂ^ĐŚƵƐƚĞƌŽĨ Redford and Client Care Coordinator Chloe Stoner from Clawson. "The issue won't go away on its own, so keep trying," says Barbara Roden, owner of Senior Helpers in Farmington Hills and Grosse Pointe. Barbara's company specializes in caring for those with dementia and other ailments that could compromise a driver's integrity. You want to collect detailed records of traffic violations, minor accidents and any other situations that cause worry, like getting lost along familiar routes. "Don't blame yourself if initial conversations don't go well. Imagine if you were told you couldn't drive anywhere you wanted to go when you'd done so for a lifetime," Barbara said. No two families deal with transportation issues in the same way. Experts at Senior Helpers are glad to listen and make recommendations. The ultimate goal is to avert problems, such as injury to the elder, to innocent bystanders or property that would lead to formal charges. If the loved one flat out refuses, you may have to take action to protect your loved one, especially if this person protests, "I only drive in the neighborhood." Most accidents occur within five miles of home, so driving short distances could be perilous. You can get a note from the family doctor saying this individual can't drive anymore. You can hide the car keys — or the car itself. One individual took the car to a storage company and paid a monthly fee to keep the vehicle out of access to an elder alcoholic. Appeal to your elder's pocketbook — break down the cost of owning and maintaining a car and compare that to the cost of a taxi service, senior citizen bus or retaining a professional caregiver to assist, such as Senior Helpers. If the individual doesn't listen, you may have to go to the agency that authorizes driver's licenses. The Michigan Secretary of State has a form to request a driver evaluation. A relative can submit the form; it cannot be anonymous but the office will keep it confidential. A road test may be the formal decider of whether the individual can drive or not. Keep alternatives in mind. Senior Helpers has caregivers that can drive your loved ones to medical appointments, grocery shopping and other errands. They can also make other recommendations to assist your loved one. Relatives can team up to give rides, which is a chance for intergenerational conversations that warm the heart for years to come. Barbara recalls having the conversation with her father who was diagnosed with Alzheimer's. When she told him the doctors said he shouldn't drive any longer, her father said, "So what. They don't know what they are talking about." They had to gradually take away the keys through techniques like asking friends to take him places and suggesting they would like to drive him places because his car is so nice. Senior Helpers' 10 years of success in Michigan is fueled by its more caring approach to elder care. Barbara and her staff specialize in caring for those with dementia and also work with many other clients, including those with multiple sclerosis, cancer or heart disease. The company will come to your home, meet with your family and make recommendations for ongoing care such as laundry, meal preparation, shower assistance, dressing, toileting and coordinating transportation. The company aims to be a resource provider in other ways as well. The staff will work to connect clients with the answers and referrals they need to provide the best possible care. "I cannot imagine a better way to serve my community and help families," says Barbara. Senior Helpers is also unique in its selection and training of staff. All employees have prior experience in caregiving, either professionally or in their personal lives. They go through rigorous screenings and background checks, and are bonded and insured. Caregivers must have a valid driver's license, auto insurance and reliable transportation. Each employee must demonstrate a compassionate personality. "We are caring individuals," Barbara said. "As the owner, I have a real compassion for both our clients and staff. Everyone here has a caring heart. Our clients stay with us because they know we care." ^ĞŶŝŽƌ,ĞůƉĞƌƐŽǁŶĞƌĂƌďĂƌĂZŽĚĞŶŽĨůŽŽŵĮĞůĚ,ŝůůƐ Senior Helpers| Advertisment