{"id":68418,"date":"2016-03-01T18:57:06","date_gmt":"2016-03-01T18:57:06","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.comfortkeepers.ca\/toronto\/senior-safety-when-should-toronto-seniors-stop-driving\/"},"modified":"2026-08-20T19:08:41","modified_gmt":"2026-08-20T19:08:41","slug":"senior-safety-when-should-toronto-seniors-stop-driving","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.comfortkeepers.ca\/toronto\/senior-safety-when-should-toronto-seniors-stop-driving\/","title":{"rendered":"Senior Safety: When Should Toronto Seniors Stop Driving?"},"content":{"rendered":"

A caring.com and National Safety Council survey showed that 40 percent of adult children say they’re not comfortable talking to their parents about driving, and would rather discuss funeral arrangements or selling their home.<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

Every caretaker whether a child, spouse, niece, nephew or a paid caregiver, dreads the time when their loved one has to stop driving. This is a painful reminder that age is taking its toll, and more often than not, the conversation isn\u2019t a pleasant one.<\/p>\n

Seniors are usually reluctant to give up driving. Taking the car keys removes their own ability to drive to the store, church, senior center, or library \u2500 or to simply meet up with friends for coffee. The experience can be quite traumatic.<\/p>\n

Remember: Age is just a number. A senior’s age is not reason enough for taking away the car keys. There are people in their 90s who drive safely, while others decades younger can be a real danger to themselves and others.<\/p>\n

Deciding When To Take The Car Keys Way from Seniors: <\/strong><\/h2>\n

Focus On Seniors’ Physical and\u00a0Mental<\/strong> Health and Abilities, Not Age<\/strong><\/h3>\n

The fact is, people age differently. Several factors place seniors at much greater risk for road accidents and affect seniors\u2019 driving ability, including:<\/p>\n

Senior Driving Ability Factor #1: Vision problems<\/strong><\/h3>\n

Cataracts, macular degeneration, glaucoma, and diabetic retinopathy can hamper driving ability. (Cataracts and glaucoma can be surgically corrected.)\u00a0 Poor depth perception, narrowed peripheral vision, poor judgment of speed, poor night vision, and increased sensitivity to bright sunlight, headlights, and glare can all become problems with age.<\/p>\n

Senior Driving Ability Factor #2: <\/strong>Lack of physical ability<\/strong><\/h3>\n

Driving takes dexterity, ability, and strength to control a vehicle at all times. Range-of-motion issues, such as inability to look over the shoulder, trouble shifting gears, or confusing gas and brake pedals can be a problem. Drowsiness may also occur in older adults, even during the day.<\/p>\n

Senior Driving Ability Factor #3: Diseases and chronic conditions <\/strong><\/h3>\n

Those with Alzheimer’s disease can become disoriented anywhere, and a severe diabetic may fall into a coma. Rheumatoid arthritis, Parkinson\u2019s disease, sleep apnea, and heart disease can impair seniors\u2019 driving ability and skills.<\/p>\n

Senior Driving Ability Factor #4: Medications<\/strong><\/h3>\n

Older people often take more medications. This can result in risky, unpredictable and dangerous side effects and drug interactions that cause drowsiness and\/or a slowing of the person’s reaction time. The senior\u2019s doctor(s) can discuss side effects and a pharmacist may be able to do a quick computer-based analysis.<\/p>\n

Warning Signs That Your Senior\u2019s Safety Is At Risk<\/strong><\/h2>\n

According to the National Institute on Aging, there are several critical indications that a senior may be losing the judgment or ability to drive. These are:<\/p>\n