When you’ve been driving for years, you don’t often think about all the skills involved with operating a motor vehicle, but driving really does involve a number of physical and mental processes. As we age, some changes that take place may diminish driving skills.
Muscle and joint stiffness are common among older adults due to arthritis and changes in muscle tone. Stiffness can reduce mobility and flexibility during all types of activities. When driving, this may make it more difficult to turn your head when checking your mirrors, grip and maneuver the steering wheel or operate the accelerator and brake pedals.
Eyesight and hearing often decline with age. Changes in vision due to normal aging or conditions like glaucoma or cataracts may make it difficult to read signs quickly. At night, glare from headlights and streetlights might also interfere with your ability to see. Hearing impairment may make you less aware of other vehicles or cause you to miss sounds that might indicate a problem with your vehicle.
Many seniors have slower reflexes due to reduced mobility and changes in thinking that occur with age. Slower reaction times can make it more difficult to respond to hazards on the road. For example, you may not brake soon enough if you suddenly encounter traffic or fail to swerve quickly enough to avoid a collision.
Some health issues or the treatments used to manage them may negatively impact your ability to drive. Certain medications cause dizziness, lightheadedness or drowsiness and may not be safe to take before operating a motor vehicle. Neurological conditions or damage from a previous stroke may also reduce driving skills.
There's no set timeline for when a person may no longer be able to drive. Aging affects everyone differently, so it’s impossible to predict exactly when any individual may no longer be able to operate their automobile safely. What you can do is keep an eye out for warning signs that it may be time to give up your driver’s license. Some signs to be on the lookout for include:
As you consider whether to continue driving, discuss the matter with your health care provider. They can provide you with an honest opinion based on your overall health. You may also want to talk to your loved ones about driving. They may have concerns that they haven’t expressed. Taking the advice of others into account can help you make an informed decision.
Some seniors hesitate to give up their driver’s licenses because they’re worried about being able to provide a valid photo ID when requested. The good news is that in Colorado, you can easily obtain a state-issued photo ID from the Colorado Division of Motor Vehicles (DMV) by downgrading your license.
As long as the photo on your driver’s license is less than 10 years old, you can complete the process entirely online in 10 to 15 minutes by visiting the DMV website. You’ll need to have your driver’s license, Social Security number and a credit or debit card to cover any fees. If your driver’s license photo is older, visit a DMV driver’s license office to get your state-issued photo ID.
Giving up your driver’s license doesn’t mean losing your independence. There are many ways seniors in the Monument area can get around without driving:
Scheduled transportation. At Bethesda Gardens Monument senior living community, we offer scheduled transportation services for medical appointments, cultural events and shopping to our residents as part of our amenities.
