A Guide for Families, Friends and Caregivers Concerned About the Safety of an Older Driver

Chapter 1

FAMILIES, FRIENDS AND CAREGIVERS

"He's had two recent crashes and I'm getting very concerned.""She went to her regular hairdresser and got lost for an hour on the way home.""I will not let my children ride with him anymore."(COMMENTS FROM RESPONDENTS - SURVEY OF FAMILIES CONCERNED ABOUT THE SAFETY OF AN OLDER DRIVER)

In 1997, the New York State Office for the Aging conducted a survey to understand the experiences of families and caregivers concerned about the safety of an older driver. The survey was open to families, friends, caregivers and service providers concerned about the safety of an older driver. Participation was voluntary. Some 123 families completed the survey questionnaire. Their responses provided the first comprehensive look in the nation at families and the drivers about whom they were concerned, as well as the services which hold potential to be of help.

Who responded to the survey?

Mostly it was a female family member or close female relative of the driver (79%). Often they were living half an hour or less away. Most had jobs and/or other caregiver responsibilities, such as children or another aging family member at home. How long were they concerned about the driver?

Often for a year or more (70%). How did they know the driver was having a problem?

Usually from watching the driver. Other tip-offs were damage to the car, comments from passengers and an accident. Who were the at-risk drivers?

Most were 75 and older (as reported by 85% of respondents). Over 30% were 85 and older. Over 90% lived in their own home and almost 75% lived alone. What kind of safety concerns were identified?

Slow reaction time, slow driving, and inattention to other road users and hazards were the most identified concerns. Almost half reported that the driver's car had at least some minor crash damage

hat other things did they see?

Almost 50% indicated the driver was having problems with daily living activities, such as taking care of the household and/or themselves. Over 75% felt that the driver had some kind of physical and/or medical condition which impaired ability to drive safely. Vision, hearing and restricted movement problems were identified by 50% of the respondents. Over 60% felt there was an event in the driver's recent personal history which signaled the decline in driving performance. A recent illness and/or recent hospitalization were most often mentioned. How difficult was it to talk to the driver? Some 60% reported they were unable to even discuss the problem with the driver or intervene in any way to prevent the person from driving despite having serious concerns for the older person's safety. What concerned them most about taking action now to prevent the person from driving?

Taking away the person's independence was a concern of almost 80% of respondents. Some 60% said, "It is a hard thing to do to someone you love and care about." Over 50% were concerned that "the driver will never let me hear the end of it." What did they see as potentially helpful for their situation?

Alternative transportation (79%). Help from a physician, such as a letter telling the person not to drive and/or the physician reporting the person to the department of motor vehicles (DMV) (over 70%). A DMV driving test (76%). A non-DMV driving evaluation, such as that provided by an occupational therapist-driver rehabilitation specialist (69%). See morehttp://www.aging.ny.gov/Caregiving/OlderDriver/DriverChapter1.cfm