Growing older is tough for everyone. With each passing year, time seems to fly by faster than before. When you age, your driving abilities are affected as well. This is dangerous not only for the driver but for other people who are on the road as well. Things that used to be easy, such as turning the head to check for oncoming traffic, may become difficult all of a sudden.
To avoid having any troubles on the road and to pre-empt any incidents, read on for some driving safety tips.
Take Stock Of Your Health
Make a checklist of the following:
- Do you experience any pain or stiffness? This will impact your ability to look in mirrors or turn the wheel.
- Are you diagnosed with chronic conditions? These can affect your safety on the road so it is good to discuss this with your doctor before driving.
- Do you tire easily? Older drivers may experience fatigue more easily than younger drivers, which affects how long you can drive.
- Do you feel stressed? Stress can affect other health conditions that older drivers have. Talk to your doctor about the best options for yourself.
Schedule Regular Vision and Hearing Tests
The body that you have always relied on starts to fail as you grow older. Vision problems such as glaucoma, macular degeneration, and cataracts can affect older adults. This makes it difficult to see clearly, especially at night. Impaired hearing can make it hard to hear oncoming traffic such as emergency vehicles. Go for regular check-ups to ensure that your vision and hearing are good enough for you to drive.
Stay Active
Keep your body physically active to prevent the effects of aging. Keeping active will help maintain strength and flexibility, so you can drive well into your older years. Walking is a great way to be active. Incorporate stretching and strength training as well to keep your body in the best condition.
Check Your Medications for Side Effects
If you have a health condition that you take medication for, you need to read the label and check for side effects. If the label on the medication states that you should not be operating heavy machinery, you should not be driving. Instead of driving, look for other means of transportation to get around while you are on the medication.
Experience Discovery Village At Melbourne
Discovery Village At Melbourne is a world-class senior living community. Our community offers three different options for you to choose from: independent living, assisted living, and SHINE® memory care. In our resort-style senior living community, you get to enjoy our amazing facilities and live your dream lifestyle. Our committed team of health and wellness staff will help to develop a personalized care plan to meet your needs. You will be able to have delicious gourmet meals every day as well as fun activities and events to keep you healthy and active!
After reading about the driving safety tips for older adults, you may think it is better to stay in our senior living community where you can enjoy transportation services. Feel free to contact us today for more information!
