How To Help Your Elderly Parent Stay Safe While Driving
Posted on: 1 August 2018
If your elderly parent is still driving, you might worry about his or her safety while on the road. This is completely understandable, and luckily, there are a few things that you can do to help him or her stay safe. These are a few tips to help you with this.
Help with Car Maintenance and Repairs
First of all, you probably already know that a car that isn't in good repair can be dangerous. Plus, it could end up leaving your elderly parent stranded on the side of the road. Helping with making sure that your parent's car has safe tires and brakes and is otherwise in good repair can help you keep him or her safe while driving.
Pack an Emergency Kit
It's a good idea for all drivers to have an emergency kit in their cars, and it can be particularly important for strangers. Making sure that your parent has a non-perishable snack and some water, any essential medication and a few other necessities in the car in case the car breaks down or there is an accident is important. Additionally, make sure that the car has a spare tire, a set of jumper cables and other essentials for handling a potential breakdown.
Ensure Your Parent Gets Regular Eye Exams
Many older people find that their vision gets worse and worse as they get older. Along with affecting their lives in other ways, this can obviously make driving dangerous. Therefore, it's important to make sure that your parent is going in for regular eye exams, as directed by his or her eye doctor, and that his or her glasses or contact lenses are up-to-date.
Purchase a Roadside Assistance Package
It's not a bad idea for any driver to have a roadside assistance package, and it can be particularly helpful for elderly drivers. After all, they might have a hard time with changing their own tires or handling their own simple repairs, and they can be more at risk if they're left stranded on the side of the road. Luckily, there are affordable roadside assistance packages that are perfect for senior drivers.
If you are like many adult children, you probably want for your elderly parent to be able to maintain his or her independence and stay on the road for as long as possible. However, you probably also want to ensure that he or she stays safe. Luckily, following these tips can help.
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