As a live-in carer you may be at a placement where the client drives him or herself around, and while this may be perfectly acceptable if they are of sound mind and capable, many clients you go to simply are not able – or should not be driving a car.
Taking away the ability to drive a car is a huge decision which can have serious consequences, particularly if your client has been driving for over fifty years. They may not agree with the reasons why they should not drive and may adamantly refuse to give up their driving rights.
What are the signs your client should not be behind the wheel?
Some signs are easy to spot while others are not so obvious. Let’s look at the obvious ones.
- A little confused about driving in the familiar neighbourhood
- Drifting into another lane
- Slow reactions when the lights change
- Slow movements on the foot pedals
- Complaints about the way ‘those other people drive’
And some not so obvious signs:
- New bumps or scratches appear on the car
- The neighbours or friends comment about ‘the way he/she drives’
- Anxiety about driving at night
- Increase in insurance because of collisions
How can we handle this?
Being the passenger in a car with a person you feel should not be driving can and possibly will be a very stressful thing, and you may find that you end up more concerned than you like.
Explaining to your client that they do not drive well anymore may simply pour oil onto a fire, so to speak. It is already a volatile situation with many older people knowing deep down that they should not be driving any longer. However, to hear it from a relative stranger may evoke fierce objection.
The first route to take is to have someone else bring the subject up. This should preferably be a family member. This is because your client may be more willing to take that advice from someone they know well, rather than from you, who may not have been there very long.
Additionally, having the family bring up the subject leaves you out of the argument – and argument it most likely will be. Remember that family will go home at the end of the day while you are there all the time until you leave.
You may find that your client is willing to move to the passenger side if you approach with tact and diplomacy. Never suggest that they are unsafe. You may want to say that you’d like to give them a rest for a while from driving. You could also suggest that your client give directions while you drive.
Once you have made the change from passenger seat to driving seat, you should still include your client in things pertaining to the car. Ask them where they fill up with petrol. Ask them where they go to wash the car and put air in the tires.
Final thoughts
It is easy to forget, but your client may have been driving for many years and to suddenly have that privilege taken away can have devastating effects if not handled carefully and kindly.
Always remember that the car-even though they may not drive anymore-still belongs to them.
When they were driving, they were in control of that situation but suddenly they need to rely on you or another person to do the driving. This may be a hard thing for your client to come to terms with so be gentle and understanding in the way you handle this situation.
It is also possible that your client really wants to stop driving but as a matter of pride refuses to ask for help. You may find, if you handle the situation carefully that your client is very willing to hand over the reins after all those years.
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