Everyone ages, and no matter what you do, you’ll have to say goodbye to so many things, from food to lifestyle. Also, while you may not look it, you really have to usher in new concerns like maintaining mobility so you can still maintain independence and fun, just like you used to.
Just like driving. As you age, some unique challenges may affect how well you can ferry your car from home and back.
There’s no question about you knowing how to drive, but you may have come to a point where it’s no longer an issue. It’s already about how well you can keep yourself and your loved ones safe on the road while you’re at the wheel.
Going Through Roadways: Of Aging and Driving
It might not be true for all, but you do get issues when you age, often leading you to feel some physiological changes that somehow get you worried when you’re driving, like:
● Vision Decline
Some conditions, like cataracts and glaucoma, may affect your visual acuity and contrast sensitivity, making it quite difficult to read road signs or detect people crossing or on the road.
● Reduced Cognitive Function
It’s more than forgetting where your keys are; slower processing speeds and diminished attention can hinder the ability to react promptly to traffic signals and unexpected situations, like a kid darting after a ball or an animal bouncing and chasing after its prey on the road.
● Physical Limitations
Bone degeneration, arthritis, and decreased muscle strength may already affect your ability to turn the steering wheel, press pedals, or check blind spots effectively. They may not be considered total incapacity, still, they might endanger you and your passengers.
Also, while you may not be keeping tabs on them, these factors actually contribute to the increasing risk of accidents among older drivers. Some reports even say that drivers aged 85 and above have a higher likelihood of being involved in fatal crashes compared to younger age groups due to physical issues.
Smart Choices: Selecting Senior-Friendly Vehicles
If you really need to continue your agility and mobility and feel that you’re still in the league of actively driving seniors, choosing the right vehicle is paramount, apart from getting the best deals on used cars in Atlanta-Duluth or your locality. Some of the must-have features you may need to consider, however, are:
● Ease of Access
This needs to be your priority when looking for a trusty vehicle to ferry you around. You may have to look for cars that have wide door openings and with seats at about your hip level. This way, it’ll be easier for you to enter or exit from your vehicle without much effort and without injuring your back.
● Advanced Safety Features
Today, most upbeat cars are already packed with techs like automatic emergency braking, lane departure warnings, and blind-spot monitoring to “look” where you can’t and help you get your gear into safe driving mode.
● Comfort and Visibility
Adjustable seats, ample legroom, and large windows improve comfort and situational awareness.
Alternative Routes: Transportation Solutions When You Can’t Drive
When driving is no longer a safe option, but you don’t seem to have a choice or the pleasure of staying immobile, several alternatives can help you maintain your active lifestyle, like:
● Public Transportation
Today, many communities offer senior-friendly public transit services with some features like lowered floors for easy boarding and priority seating, even reserving special lanes for waiting times for buses and trains.
● Ride-Hailing Services
Many platforms, like today’s Uber and Lyft, can provide you with on-demand transportation anytime, anywhere, with just a tap on your smartphone.
● Community Shuttle Services
You can also network with your local organizations for services (seniors-only), like shuttles that can comfortably ferry you to your doctor’s appointments and grocery stores, and even drive you to and from social events.
● Volunteer Driver Programs
Today, especially in areas where public transit is limited, volunteer programs connect seniors with community members who provide transportation.
There are actually a lot of ways to go about town or wherever you want to go, and exploring these options can help you stay connected and engaged without compromising your or your loved one’s safety on the road.
Planning Ahead: Embracing the Concept of ‘Driving Retirement’
Since your safety is always a priority, you may have to recognize that there may come a time when driving is no longer safe, or you may need to opt out. According to some reports, on average, older adults live seven to ten years beyond their ability to drive safely.
Also, proactively planning for this transition can lessen or ebb away some stress and make sure you still enjoy the things you enjoy doing, especially with continued mobility.
In a nutshell, still maintaining independence and mobility in your later years is not a clear-cut blueprint. It may just need a little getting used to (adaptability) and informed decision-making.
When you continue to accept and understand the effects of aging on driving, considering alternative transportation methods and selecting appropriate vehicles, even if driving remains viable, might just be your safest option. It’s where seniors like you can continue to lead active and fulfilling lives.