Elderly Care in Summerlin NV
Dementia is a gradual disease that eventually significantly affects your loved one’s ability to reason and to use good judgment. That means that driving on her own can often become one of the first skills that your loved one could lose, depending on her individual circumstances.
At First, There May Be No Changes
When your loved one is first diagnosed with dementia, she may still be perfectly fine to drive. Make sure that you discuss driving with your loved one’s doctor and get a feel for the stages of dementia so you know what to look for. Your loved one’s ability to drive will decline as she progresses through the stages, so it’s important to start developing a plan now.
Keep an Eye on Your Loved One’s Driving
Your elderly loved one may be fine behind the wheel for a while, but it’s still a good idea to keep a solid eye on her driving. Ride with her often and pay attention to how she handles the different mental and physical challenges that driving provides. If your loved one starts to have small accidents or her insurance rates go up, these can be signs that there are bigger problems.
Set up an Official Evaluation
Many family caregivers start to question their loved one’s ability to drive well before they actually take the keys away. If you’re starting to question your loved one’s driving skills, it might be a good idea to set up an official driving evaluation rather than continuing to question the situation on your own. Contact your Department of Motor Vehicles or a driving school in your area. Both usually offer some form of official evaluation service.
Explore Alternative Forms of Transportation
Other family members may be able to help your loved one out with transportation, which is wonderful. They aren’t always available, though, so it’s a good idea to explore other options, such as elderly care providers or even public transportation options just for seniors. Your loved one might resist the idea of being driven around, so be prepared for those arguments.
Formulate a plan with your loved one to deal with driving after her diagnosis of dementia. This helps your loved one to feel less out of control and gives you both a solid framework.
IF YOU OR AN AGING LOVED ONE ARE CONSIDERING IN-HOME ELDERLY CARE IN SUMMERLIN, NV, PLEASE CONTACT THE CARING STAFF AT GOLDEN HEART SENIOR CARE. CALL TODAY 702-800-4616.