We all know that our health changes as we age, often taking us by surprise. It’s important for older adults to be informed about health conditions that can impair their ability to drive safely. In particular, health conditions that affect attention, cognition, vision, and mobility can have serious and lasting effects on driving ability.

Which health conditions commonly affect driving ability for older adults?

• ADHD
• Cognitive change or impairment
• Chronic Pain
• Stroke
• Sleep Disorders
• Vision disorders

ADHD, Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder is characterized by a variety of symptoms and is commonly underdiagnosed in older adults, many of whom were able to make it through life by using adaptive skills to mask or make-up for the symptoms. When combined with the effects aging has on attention, memory, and emotional regulation, ADHD in older adults can lead trouble with safe operation of vehicle and increase risk for traffic accidents. It’s important to have a proper diagnosis so that symptoms of ADHD are not mistaken for other cognitive impairments, and vice versa. With appropriate diagnosis and treatment, older adults who do have ADHD can maintain their driving privilege, safely, for many years.

Cognitive changes are a natural part of the aging process. Changes such as memory deficits, reduced information processing speed, and slower reaction time impair an older adult’s ability to safely operate a vehicle and drive assertively.  If an older adult continues to drive with even mild impairment, or as dementia progresses to include disorientation and loss of perspective for judging speed and distance, driving becomes dangerous for them and for other drivers on the road. The best approach is to have early conversations with an older adult about their health and the consequences of driving when health impairs their safety behind the wheel.

Chronic pain, including conditions such as arthritis, can restrict an older adult’s mobility. At a minimum, health conditions that cause chronic pain can make driving uncomfortable, distracting a driver’s attention from the road. Chronic pain can also limit mobility, affecting reaction time between seeing a hazard and being able to either brake or maneuver a car out of harm’s way.

A physical therapist can offer suggestions for making driving more comfortable and determine if adaptive equipment is required to help an older adult drive more alert, more comfortably, and safer. An occupational therapist can go on a "test-drive" with an older adult to determine their ability to safely operate a motor vehicle.

Stroke is one health condition that can result in changes to cognition, memory, vision, speech, judgment and physical coordination. Consequently, stroke can limit or eliminate a person’s ability to drive. A physician will determine if an older adult can continue to drive in order to ensure their safety and that of others on the road. If cleared to return to driving, an older adult who has experienced a stroke may need to use adaptive equipment or take a driver retraining course.

Vision changes are often the first and most noticeable health issues that come with older age: needing reading glasses, changes in night vision, and sensitivity to bright light among others. Vision-related medical conditions that are common with age include cataracts (which cloud the lens); age-related macular degeneration (affects central vision); and glaucoma (affects peripheral vision). These conditions can impair a driver’s ability to see clearly, judge distance, detect and react to hazards, and read road signs. Fortunately, noticing and addressing these changes in vision early on, with proper medical attention, allows sufficient time for vision correction and that means older adults to maintain their ability to enjoy driving and do so safely.

Health and Wellness is a Priority at Everbrook Senior Living

Maintaining good health as one ages is essential to older adult quality of life, which includes the freedom that comes with driving a car. At Everbrook Senior Living, each of our residential communities offers state-of-the-art medical and wellness services. Our residents enjoy a wide array of lifestyle activities that support quality of living and preventative medical care to spot health problems early on. To learn more about how affordable luxury residences for older adults, please contact one of our Care Counselors, today.