When is it time for an older driver to give up the
keys? That’s a question faced by senior citizens
and their adult children every day.
William Collins and his team at Parents Are Key
in Glens Falls are nationally certified to help older
drivers and their family deal with the issues and
challenges of age related diminished driving skills.
“When elderly parents get to the point where
they’re having trouble driving safely, it’s often
time for family to step in,” said Collins. “Many
times doctors, attorneys and insurance agents
are asked to intervene but that’s a very difficult
discussion to have and can often lead to unwanted
resentment.”
Parents Are Key (a division of Trinity Elder
Care) was started to specifically address the issue
of elderly drivers and their ability to continue
driving safely on our roads.
According to Collins, no other business within
a five-hour radius of Glens Falls/Saratoga offers
this service.
This comprehensive assessment is conducted
in the comfort of a client’s own home, to assess
their cognitive and physical ability to drive safely.
An actual driving exercise is also conducted in
their own vehicle to insure proper safety and
driving procedures are clearly understood and
followed.
This self-assessment provides a functional
baseline of one’s ability to continue driving
safely, as well as providing the individual and
their family the information necessary to make an
informed decision regarding their driving future.
At the conclusion, a finding of “at risk” or “not
at risk” of a future motor vehicle accident is made
based on the collective data. Of the clients determined
to be “at risk,” 70 percent will voluntarily
retire from driving when the results are personally
reviewed, Collins said.
All results remain confidential.
“The ultimate goal is not to take away driving
opportunities of older drivers, but rather to offer
suggestions on how to recognize and compensate
for diminishing skills so our seniors can remain on
the roadways as safe drivers, should they choose
to do so,” said Collins.
“It’s often hard to tell a parent that they
shouldn’t be driving anymore. Under this program,
it becomes their choice to retire while preserving
their dignity and peace within the family.”
Further information can be obtained from
Parents Are Key at 798-4742.