Q: My father is aging, and his senses aren’t as sharp as they were – but he still insists on driving. I feel increasingly responsible to protect him (and others). Do you think I should take the car keys away? If so, when? And how?
Jim: This is a delicate situation that many of us have to face eventually. It’s awkward to assume the unnatural role of parenting your parent, especially given the context. Most of us, seniors included, associate driving with mobility, freedom and human contact. Losing that independence is hard.
While it’s easy to imagine worstcase scenarios, consider whether your dad’s driving might be affected by a short-term circumstance or the stress of significant life change. If so, try suggesting that he let someone else drive until things settle down.
