Driving Does Not Equal Independence

Driving does not necessarily equal independence. For many older adults, giving up the keys can actually create a different kind of freedom, freedom from worrying about driving after dark, in snow or bad weather, through heavy traffic, or in situations that no longer feel comfortable. Rideshare services, senior transportation programs, community shuttles, delivery services, and families creating simple driving schedules can make it possible to stay active and connected without relying on a car.

This subject is deeply personal to me. When my youngest son was seven, he was hit by a car driven by a woman with dementia. She had become so disoriented that she ended up in another state, on our street, because her family didn’t want to fight with her about taking away the keys. I understand how painful that conversation can be, but I also understand what can happen when we avoid it. Sometimes protecting someone’s independence means helping them find safer ways to keep living their life, rather than measuring that independence by whether they can still drive.

Before the Keys Become a Crisis

Taking away someone’s keys is difficult, but I can assure you, it pales in comparison to being in the hospital with a crime scene photographer taking photos of your unconscious, broken child while doctors tell you they are unsure if he will live. In this guide, I will walk you through my personal story and help you have conversations with your loved ones that need to give up driving.

You can order the guide here: Before the Keys Become a Crisis