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Question: My 85-year-old mother is continuing to drive and, as far as I can tell, is still safe at the wheel. Is there anything on the market that has been developed to help keep her that way? She’s currently looking to trade her vehicle.
Just in time for your mom’s new vehicle purchase, AAA has developed “Smart Features for Mature Drivers” – a program that has resulted from a partnership with the University of Florida’s National Older Driver Research and Training Center (NODRTC). This program can serve as a guide in selecting your mom’s next vehicle. Because everyone ages differently, AAA recommends mature drivers look for vehicles with features that address their specific needs and health issues. Some of the recommendations included in the Smart Features for Mature Drivers plan include: Drivers suffering from hip or leg pain, decreased leg strength or limited knee range of motion should look for vehicles with six-way adjustable power seats and seat heights that come between the driver’s mid-thigh and lower buttocks. Both of these features can make it easier for drivers to enter and exit a vehicle. Drivers with arthritic hands, painful or stiff fingers or diminished fine motor skills would benefit from four-door models, thick steering wheels, keyless entry and ignition, power mirrors and seats, and larger dashboard controls with buttons.
Drivers with diminished vision or problems with low contrast sensitivity will find helpful vehicles with extendable sun visors, large audio and climate controls and displays with contrasting text. It’s great that your mother is such a capable driver at her age. But it may be worth it to talk with you mom and, together, develop a back-up plan in the event that she can’t drive in the future. There are many alternatives that can be of help to her. For example, Home Instead Senior Care employs CAREGivers who regularly transport seniors to and from their appointments as well as run errands for older adults. It’s one way that your mother can still be independent even when she can’t drive anymore. For more information about Home Instead Senior Care, contact Debbie Witt at 540-260-3160 or visit www.homeinstead.com. For more on the Smart Features for Smart Drivers program, click here.
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