Taking the Keys Away in Bangor, ME and Nearby Areas

Taking away a senior's car keys can be hard and upsetting for everyone involved, including the senior and their family. That being said, safety should always come first, and you should know when it's time for your senior loved one to stop driving. Visiting Angels Mid Maine's incidental transportation services may be a lifesaver for families in Bangor, Brewer, Hampden, Orono, Old Town, and nearby areas as they go through this change. Seniors may continue to live life to the fullest with the support of professional in-home caregivers who help them remain active, connected to their community, and independent.

The Importance of Knowing When to Take the Keys Away for Families in Bangor, ME and Surrounding Areas

It is normal for our loved ones to undergo changes in cognitive and physical capacities as they grow older. When a senior can't drive safely anymore, it's one of life's most crushing transitions. There may be a lot of ups and downs for the elderly person and their loved ones during this time. Nevertheless, for the sake of everyone on the road, you must know when it's time to tell your loved one they can no longer safely drive on their own.

Signs That Indicate It's Time to Take the Keys Away

Several variables, including deterioration in eyesight, hearing, and reflexes, contribute to the increased risk of motor vehicle accidents among the elderly, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Furthermore, a senior's capacity to drive safely may be impacted by chronic health issues and side effects from medications. Family members should closely monitor their loved one's driving ability and have frank discussions about when it's appropriate to cease driving if there are any changes.

Taking a senior loved one's vehicle keys is hard, but safety comes first. It may be time to talk with your loved one if you see any of the following:

Frequent accidents or close calls while driving
Difficulty seeing traffic signs and signals
Trouble staying within lanes or maintaining a safe speed
Getting lost in familiar places
Increased agitation or confusion while driving
Difficulty turning their neck to check for oncoming traffic
Slower reaction times while driving
Forgetting where they are going or how to get there
Expressing fear or anxiety while driving
Visible damage to their car from multiple incidents

If you see any of these signs, you should talk to your loved one about them and think about limiting or stopping their driving.

How Families Can Help Seniors Understand It's Time to Stop Driving

For some seniors, the thought of losing their car keys can be very upsetting and difficult. In this difficult time, loved ones must address the issue with compassion and understanding.

Here are some ways families can help their senior loved ones during this transition:

Have open and honest conversations: Have a heart-to-heart with an elderly loved one and tell them you're worried about their safety and the safety of other drivers. Take the time to hear them out and acknowledge how they feel. Having these talks in a safe space, like a doctor's office, or with a trained mediator present could be beneficial.
Offer alternative transportation options: Some elderly people, particularly those who live alone, may feel even more alone once they lose their driving abilities. Provide transportation to their social gatherings, doctor's visits, and errands. Other possibilities include looking into rideshares, public transit, or a senior transportation program. Some options available in Bangor and surrounding areas include Penquis Transportation Services, Central Maine Private Transportation, and incidental transportation from Visiting Angels Mid Maine.
Involve your loved one in the decision-making process: Making the choice to revoke a loved one's driving privileges requires their active participation. They may have a more favorable transition if you make them feel like they have control over the situation.
Be understanding and patient: It might take awhile before your loved one gets used to not being a driver. They might feel many things, like anger, frustration, and sadness. Offer your empathy and support while being patient with them.

How Incidental Transportation from Visiting Angels Mid Maine Can Help Seniors in Bangor and Surrounding Areas

Senior loved ones may benefit much from the assistance that families can provide with transportation, but juggling this with other obligations and duties can be difficult. Visiting Angels Mid Maine's incidental transportation services are ideal in this situation.

Seniors in the Bangor and surrounding regions may take use of Visiting Angels' incidental transportation service to get to and from doctor's visits, grocery stores, and social gatherings. People over the age of 65 who are unable to drive alone may find this service very useful.

Here are some ways incidental transportation from Visiting Angels Mid Maine can benefit seniors and their families in Bangor and surrounding areas:

Provides a safe and reliable transportation option: Older adults in Bangor and nearby cities may rest easy knowing they have a dependable and safe means of transportation when they choose Visiting Angels Mid Maine for incidental transportation. Our senior caregivers are hand-picked and extensively educated to meet the transportation demands of our elderly clients.
Promotes socialization and independence: Visiting Angels Mid Maine offers seniors the opportunity to remain connected to their community and keep their independence via our incidental transportation services. With the help of a professional caregiver, older adults don't have to depend on family members when they need a ride.
Offers flexible scheduling: Visiting Angels Mid Maine offers custom-tailored in-home care services so families may decide how often and when their elderly loved one needs incidental transportation. Because of this, transportation scheduling may be more fluidly adjusted to accommodate other commitments and give family caregivers a chance to relax and recharge.
Assists with errands and appointments: On top of providing transportation, our caregivers are also available to assist seniors in Bangor and nearby areas with running errands and accompanying them to medical appointments. This may include going to the grocery store, picking up medications, and taking notes during check-ups and follow-up appointments.
Provides peace of mind: The peace of mind that comes from knowing that a senior loved one is being cared for by compassionate and dedicated home care experts is priceless. With Visiting Angels Mid Maine's incidental transportation services, family caregivers can relax knowing that their loved one will get to their destination promptly and securely.

Call our Bangor, ME office at 207-573-1861 or fill out our form to learn how our incidental transportation services can help your loved one.

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