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4 Subtle Signs that Your Loved One Shouldn’t Be Driving

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Elder Care in Lincoln CA

Sometimes you might need to look for smaller signs to clue you into big problems, such as when your loved one really shouldn’t be driving any longer. You can set up transportation through other Elder-Care-in-Lincoln-CAfamily members and elderly care providers, but your loved one might avoid those options if she’s convinced she should still be driving.

She’s Nervous Behind the Wheel

If the idea of driving makes your loved one nervous, that’s not a great sign. It can mean that she’s more likely to make mistakes when she’s driving due to frazzled nerves. Pay particular attention to your loved one’s mood before she needs to drive as well as during the trip, if you’re going with her. Excessive nervousness can make your loved one forgetful, too.

She Gets Angry When She’s Driving

Road rage is never good when anyone is driving, but it’s especially bad when your loved one is experiencing it. Your loved one might be angry at other drivers or she might simply be angry at the fact that driving isn’t as easy for her as it once was. Look for signs of anger, such as clenched muscles, reddened face or neck, or yelling and cursing.

The Roads Are Full of “Crazy People”

When your loved one returns from even a short trip, does she regale you with tales of all the “crazy” drivers there are on the roads these days? She may be right, but another option could be that your elderly loved one is actually the crazy driver. Agree with her to start out with, but make sure you set up a “ride along” to covertly observe your elderly loved one’s driving.

Your Loved One’s Insurance Rates Have Skyrocketed

When someone isn’t a great driver, one of the first entities to notice this fact, after the police, of course, is usually her insurance company. She’s deemed a greater risk because of her poor driving and therefore her rates jump. Take a look at your loved one’s insurance rates or talk to her insurance company. Some insurance companies can raise rates simply because your loved one hits a certain age group, so it pays to ask them why exactly her rates have gone up.

Always talk to your loved one before making big decisions on her behalf. If it helps, you might want a neutral third party with you for the conversation.

If you or an aging loved one needs elder care in Lincoln, CA, remember Senior Home Care Services. Call us at (916) 514-7006 for more information.

Jay Bloodsworth

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