An article in American Family Physician alerted families that older people who have trouble walking, climbing stairs, or performing heavy housework often struggle to drive as well. If you're worried that you or a loved one may no longer be safe on the road, a family physician can also help assess a person's driving ability by testing vision, reflexes, strength, attention, and other factors. Contact your Department of Motor Vehicles, Veterans Administration, or vocational rehabilitation center for information on driving tests. If an older person you know is no longer safe behind the wheel, express your concern and urge him to take a driving test. Your state Department of Motor Vehicles is a good place to go for an evaluation.
Some facilities use a paper exam to test driving knowledge, sign recognition and symbol matching.
Others have computer software that simulates driving, and there's always the old-fashioned road test. You can also help by offering rides, or researching what local public transportation exists. And some places, like grocery stores and health care centers, have vans or shuttles designated for seniors. Since giving up driving without an alternative means of transportation can be a profound loss, help arrange an alternative such as an account with a cab company, teenagers who agree to drive for a fee or as a volunteer, or a formal transportation resource. Getting people with Alzheimer's disease to give up their keys can be especially tricky because they usually don't realize their skills are slipping.