Senior Safety Behind the Wheel

Senior Safety Behind the Wheel—Making the Decision to Give Up the Keys

A recent headline-grabbing tragedy in California has re-ignited a debate over the question of how old is too old to drive. With the number of older adults expected to double by 2030, the issue is one that has seniors and their families searching for transportation alternatives once the seniors are no longer able to drive.

“For so many of our seniors, driving is viewed as one of the last great measures of independence,” said Allen Hager, founder of Right at Home. “The decision to give up the keys is a tough one for people to make, especially for those who still maintain an active lifestyle.”

According to the United States Department of Health and Human Services Administration on Aging, changes that occur naturally with age, such as declines in vision, mobility and reflexes, often translate into changes in one’s ability to handle a car safely. But many seniors are reluctant to give up the freedom and convenience that driving allows them in terms of getting to medical appointments, traveling to the grocery store and socializing with friends. The decision to give up the keys, however, doesn’t mean that seniors have to become homebound or rely on their friends or family for transportation.

“Alternatives exist, such as low-cost buses or taxis, to help seniors to get to where they need to go,” said Hager, founder of Right at Home.

“But in those instances where those services aren’t available or convenient, an agency that specializes in supportive care for seniors, such as Right at Home, can provide a safe, insured driver to handle all of their needs, whether it be a trip to the grocery store or the doctor.”

In coming to a decision about whether they should continue driving, the Administration on Aging suggests that seniors should ask themselves the following questions:

•     Do other drivers honk at you?
•     Have you had some accidents, even minor “fender benders”?
•     Are you getting lost, even on well-known roads?
•     Do cars and pedestrians appear out of nowhere?
•     Have family, friends or your doctor said they were worried about your driving?
•     Do you drive less because you’re not as confident about your ability as you once were?

The Administration on Aging recommends that a “yes” to any of these questions indicates that seniors should think seriously about whether or not they are still safe drivers.

"Planning for when you are no longer able to drive should really be a family decision,” Hager advised. “After you stop driving, there are many resources out there to ensure your continued independence, and peace of mind for you and your loved ones.”


Right at Home is a national franchise organization, with a local office that serves many communities nation wide.

Right at Home offers in-home supportive care to seniors and other adults to help them continue living independently. Medical home healthcare is offered through some franchise offices. RAH Staffing Services, a division of Right at Home, provides temporary staffing solutions for the healthcare industry. Right at Home is based in Omaha, Nebraska, with franchise offices throughout the United States.

For more information on Right at Home, please visit the company’s website at www.rightathome.net.