The population of seniors who are older than 65 has grown at a faster rate than any other age bracket, and they are continuing to drive longer than ever before. According to the Federal Highway Administration (FHA), there were 48 million licensed drivers ages 65 and older in 2020, which is nearly 70 percent more […]
New Virginia GrandDriver Resource Available Just in Time for the Holidays
Dear Hayek, My dad is in the early stages of dementia and I’m concerned about him driving. He’s gotten lost several times because he forgets where he is going. Is there a resource that can help me talk to him and offer suggestions for alternatives to him driving places, especially since he hopes to visit […]
Is Driving Cessation a Risk Factor for Long-Term Care?
Olivia has always enjoyed driving. She loves the wind in her hair as she drives on Main Street with the top down on her convertible, a retirement present she bought for herself. She enjoys the independence she feels when she gets behind the wheel and can go where ever she wants, whenever she wants. Unfortunately, […]
Will Getting a REAL ID be a REAL problem for Seniors Who Can’t Make it to the DMV?
Q. My mother is 73, lives in Virginia and doesn’t have any immediate travel plans, but her driver’s license has expired. She is housebound for the most part due to physical ailments and doesn’t drive. I have been hearing a lot about the REAL ID and she and I are confused about it. What do […]
How Can You Get a Professional Evaluation of a Senior Loved One’s Driving?
Dear Hayek, My mother and I are concerned about my father’s ability to continue driving. He is confident, however, that he should still be on the road. He even offered to be evaluated by a professional. How do you go about doing so in Virginia? Does Medicare pay for driver evaluations? Thanks for your help, […]
CarFit Can Help Keep Seniors Safe on the Road Longer
Q. My father has had Parkinson’s for five years now. He is a little shaky and is starting to experience some of the mobility and speech problems that are typical as the disease progresses. His mind is as sharp as ever, though, and he still wants to enjoy his retirement while he can. My dad’s […]
Adaptive Equipment Can Increase Driver Safety
Dear Angel, My sister loves to drive her Mini Cooper with the roof down when the weather is nice outside. She has some physical ailments that I feel make it unsafe for her to drive, though. This makes me worry when she is on the road. For instance, due to neck pain, her peripheral vision […]
Take my Guns and my Home, but NOT MY CAR KEYS
Dear Bebe, When my father reached his 75th birthday, he had made quite a few concessions to age. He willingly gave up his guns and hunting, a passion he had since his childhood. He no longer mowed his own yard or cleaned his own gutters. In fact, five years ago, he sold his home to […]
When is it Time to Hang Up the Keys?
With years of experience behind the wheel, senior drivers are among the safest on the road. However, skills and abilities required for safe driving — such as vision, memory, physical strength, reaction time, and flexibility — may decline with advanced age, which could make continuing to drive risky. Understandably, driving is not a privilege that […]
Stricter Law for Mature Drivers Goes into Effect in VA on New Years
As we age, specific abilities needed to drive safely — such as vision, memory, physical strength, reaction time, and flexibility — may decline. Although some seniors are among the safest drivers on the road, those driving with declining faculties can make it dangerous for themselves and others. To address the issue, Virginia will join 33 […]