Research demonstrates that the elderly want to stay in their homes as long as possible. Yet the older a loved one gets, the more difficult independence becomes. We believe companion care can help. Over the coming weeks we will discuss how companion caregivers can help overcome 10 major challenges faced by the elderly and by their families and loved ones. Please contact us at 888-791-8449 or Stay at Home if you have questions or would like more information.
For many senior citizens, a car and driver’s license feel like the ultimate tokens of independence.
Who can blame them? For years their cars have been their link with the outside world, not only for chores and errands, but also for social contacts and fun. Of all the changes that come with aging, the dependence that comes with a lost driver’s license can be among the most difficult.
Yet sometimes that loss is unavoidable. Not all elderly drivers must give up their driving privilege, but the aging process makes this loss an unpleasant fact of life for many:
- If we become easily confused or forgetful, we lose our ability to negotiate traffic.
- As our eyes weaken, it becomes dangerous for us to drive, first at night and eventually at all.
- The more medications we must use, the more likely they are to impair our ability to driver.
The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety makes the point like this:
Functional impairments can interfere with driving and may become particularly evident in stressful or challenging driving situations such as merging or changing lanes. Several studies have shown that higher levels of physical, cognitive or visual impairment among older drivers are associated with increased risk of crash involvement.
Transportation for the elderly is a pleasure for us at Stay at Home. With us on hand, a necessary disappointment turns into a treat. In other words, you haven’t lost a license; you’ve gained a chauffeur!
We will get you to your doctor’s appointments and social engagements. We will run you by the grocery store. We will take you out to see the flowering trees or the coloring leaves.
Wherever you need to be, we can get you there.