Senior care center kicks off “Let’s Talk About Driving” program

It’s pretty common for parents to talk to their teens about safe driving. However, as one local senior care center has found, not enough are having that conversation with their elders.

According to Home Instead Senior Care in Berlin, 90 percent of surveyed seniors have not talked to their loved ones about driving. Because of that finding, they’ve launched a new program simply called “Let’s Talk About Driving.”

The program is completely free and online. It gives tips to recognize when an elder shouldn’t be behind the wheel. For example, unexplained dents or scratches on a car, or even avoiding appointments could be signs. The website is also aimed at helping families and caregivers navigate a subject that often makes seniors feel like you’re taking away their freedom.

Don Boger, the vice-president of Home Instead Senior Care says, “They can get a little angry, agitated, like ‘Well what’s wrong with my driving?’ ‘Why do you want to talk about my driving?’ That type of thing. We know that the average male will out live his ability to drive by seven years. The average female will out live their ability to drive by 10 years.”

Click here to learn more about the “Let’s Talk About Driving” program.