December is National Impaired Driving Prevention Month. Believe it or not, most people have driven impaired at some point in their lives, and many people drive impaired every day without even thinking about it. While many people understand the dangers of driving while under the influence of alcohol or illegal drugs, they don’t always consider all of the other ways they can drive while impaired.
With the plethora of celebratory holidays in December, the odds of people driving impaired and not being safe on the roads are greatly increased, and this includes aging seniors. With senior home care, families can be assured their seniors have the support and care they need, as well as transportation options for the holidays, activities, and routine errands.
Four Ways Your Senior May Be Driving Impaired
Alcohol or Drugs
The most common cause of impairment is alcohol and drugs. For seniors, this is even more true. Many elderly seniors don’t realize that their body doesn’t process alcohol as well as it did when it was younger, so it takes less for them to become impaired from it. It can affect them more quickly and slow down reflexes that may already be a bit slower.
Alcohol and prescription drugs can often perform a double whammy on your loved one’s ability to drive safely. Even just one drink at a holiday gathering can reduce her ability to drive safely.
Fatigue
Fatigue can make driving dangerous. Fatigue is not only the body feeling tired; it’s often combined with the brain feeling tired as well and not being able to react or comprehend changes on the road in time to make the needed adjustments to prevent an accident. Extreme fatigue can lead to falling asleep behind the wheel with no comprehension of the road they are on.
Whether it’s a physical condition that causes fatigue or a medication that does, your loved one shouldn’t drive if she’s feeling at all tired.
Stress
The holiday season can be stressful, and having too much on your loved one’s mind may make it difficult for her to drive safely. With her brain racing and worries clouding her thoughts, she might not be able to notice something on the road that needs to be addressed immediately.
Vision or Hearing Impairments
While your loved one might be used to not seeing well or not hearing well, these slight impairments can cause significant harm on the road when she gets behind the wheel of her car. Even a slight hearing loss may mean she won’t hear the sirens of emergency vehicles and pull out in front of them, while an inability to see well at night might make it difficult for her to see the person crossing the road in front of her.
Senior Home Care Providers Offer Transportation Options
If it’s unsafe for your loved one to be driving due to possible impairment, talk to her this month about arranging other options. A senior home care provider can help with transportation not only to special holiday events but to regular doctor visits and appointments as well. With a senior home care provider, your loved one will know the person she is riding with and will not have to navigate a public transportation system.
A senior home care provider can also add multiple errands in one trip, which can be more difficult when hiring a taxi or ride service. They are a safe, easy, and secure way for your loved one to travel this season and all year.
If you or an aging loved one are considering Senior Home Care in Tolleson, AZ, please contact the caring staff at Blessings! for Seniors Companion Care today. Call (623) 594-0819
Blessings! for Seniors Companion Care is a top provider of home care services in Goodyear, Avondale, Buckeye, Glendale, Peoria, Litchfield Park, Sun City, Sun City West, Tolleson, Phoenix, Youngtown, Surprise, and surrounding areas.
Blessings for Seniors makes it possible for older adults to enjoy the comforts of their own home for as long as possible. We offer a customized care plan that includes services such as; Hourly Senior Home Care, 24-Hour Home Care, Dementia Care, Personal Care and Companion Care. Also ask us about our Veterans’ Home Care program.
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