Newsmakers, June 30, 2016

Air Date:
Heard On Newsmakers
Newsmakers
Hope Kirwan, WPR

As the population in the Coulee Region continues to age, more seniors are beginning to make the transition from driving on their own to relying on assistance from someone else.

But the transition to depending on others is not always easy, as many families struggle to have meaningful conversations with loved ones about letting go of the keys. Viterbo University professor and researcher Dr. Stephanie Thorson-Olesen said that senior transportation is becoming a bigger issue.

“Soon, the number of older drivers is going to double which makes the issue of senior transportation even more critical.” Thorson-Olesen said. “By the year 2030, there will be more than four to five times the amount elderly people on the road than there are today. That’s a huge number and that makes this really an important issue for us all to address.”

That’s why a new community resource from Home Instead Senior Care is working to facilitate communication within families to make the transition as easy as possible. The new website is called “Let’s Talk about Driving” and it provides families with videos and a safe driving planner. Home Instead Senior Care’s General Manager Ram Melendez said that it’s important for families to have resources because making the transition with seniors can be very challenging.

“When you take away a senior’s driving ability, you’re taking away their independence and their freedom. It’s their last resort to being out there on the road,” Melendez said.

Thorson-Olesen said the conversations families have with seniors about driving can be stressful because often times, seniors do not realize that it is time for them to stop. Families are also not sure when the right time is to have the conversation. Thorson-Olesen said there are several resources out there to help determine this including the Driving Assessment Checklist from the National Caregivers Library.

Melendez said families should start the conversation around age 70 and directly talking with seniors is the most affective.

“Simply taking away the keys or disconnecting the battery, that’s going to be a slap in the face to them. This conversation has to take place, for their safety and the safety of others,” Melendez said.

Both Thorson-Olesen and Melendez said families need to realize they do not have to be the only source of transportation for their loved ones and there are options available. Thorson-Olesen pointed out there are three main types of transportation options including door to door pick up, bus services and ride sharing. Seniors and families need to work together to determine what is the best option for them.

-Matt Clark

Episode Credits

  • Hope Kirwan Host
  • Matt Clark Producer
  • John Gaddo Producer
  • Ram Melendez Guest
  • Stephanie Thorson-Olesen Guest