Five Tips to Convincing Your Senior Loved Ones that Its Time to Stop Driving
Is it time for your senior loved ones to stop driving? Are you concerned that your loved one’s health issues impair their ability to drive safely? Whether your loved ones are suffering from symptoms of an illness or old age in general, you will want to take the right steps when it comes to discussing this issue. Here are a few tips to follow when it comes time to convince your loved ones that it is time for them to stop driving.
Sit Down and Talk
Having this conversation may be difficult. You can expect them to be resistant, stubborn, or even angry with you for taking away their independence. Even though it is for their overall safety, they may not understand that right away. When you have this conversation, sit down and give time to discuss it wholeheartedly.
Provide Different Options
When you sit down to discuss their future travelling, you need to have a few plans for them. Are you going to be hiring a personal driver? Does your community offer free public transportation for seniors? Is your caregiver available to drive them around? Whether you take care of their errands or you have a professional for home health care in Philadelphia, PA, you need to remind them of how they can still get around.
Listen to Them and Be Empathetic
Although you will want them to hear your concerns, you want to give them the space to talk about their feelings, reactions, and emotions too. When they voice their concerns, you need to be empathetic and understand where they are coming from. It can be difficult to live independently for your entire life only to have that taken away from you. Listen to them and respond with empathy and compassion.
Talk to Their Doctor
Work with the doctor to make sure that they are doing the best thing for their health and safety. Their doctor will be able to advise you on what to do or say when they are resisting change, and they will support you if you need to bring your loved ones in for discussions as well.
Be There to Support Them
When they adjust to live without their car, they may go through feelings of sadness and isolation. They may even become resentful at their situation. Although you will want to stay strong through this time, you should be there to support them and let them know that they are not going to be alone or stuck at their house. Visit them frequently, take them out for meals, and spend time with them to take their minds off their situations.
These are a few tips to follow when it comes time for you to tell you senior loved ones that it may be time for them to stop driving. When you need some extra help in the home, you may want to consider hiring help. Our professionals in home health care in Philadelphia, PA can provide you with quality care that reassures you your loved ones are in great hands. Contact us to hear about our services today.