What do you do when you are driving with a senior in the car? The answer is simple—be safe. However that is not the only question, there is one that most people do not have the answer to, and that is the ‘How?’
Seniors are not as agile as we would wish they were. They react slower to things than younger people, which makes them accident-prone when proper care is not taken. When you are with a senior inside a car, they automatically become your responsibility. While you will not treat them like children, you will need to apply the same delicacy and care as babies.
Babies do not have control, mind, and body; seniors have mind control, but their bodies are way past the age of obeying their minds. They rely on you to take control of things and keep them safe. This is why you need to have and adhere to specific safety tips when inside a car with a senior.
Put the seatbelt on them
When a person gets into a car, it is expedient to put on a seatbelt immediately because it saves lives. However, a senior in the vehicle might not immediately think of it. This means that you always have to remember to put them in a seatbelt and remember to take them out of it when you get to your destination.
When you think of it, it is not too much to remember. The same way you will tuck a kid safely in a baby car seat is the same way you should safely tuck a senior into the seatbelt and make sure they are comfortable. In case there’s an accident, you need to contact car accident lawyers such as https://www.kazlaw.ca/car-accident-lawyers/ for legal assistance.
Do not play loud music
Seniors are very sensitive to loud noise. They scare easily and may react erratically if you play loud music, especially if it is sudden. Another angle is this, the senior you are driving may be slightly deaf, and you may need to communicate to them.
They need the entire area to be quiet when you do so that they can hear you. This is not to say you are not allowed to play music at all, but leave it at the barest minimum.
Get their medications handy
Seniors always need their medications, and it will be essential to have these medications in the car for safety purposes. If they need them, and you do not have them, do call 911 immediately. However, to avoid cases like these, always have their medications with you.
Go for a lower car
four-wheel drives are usually too high off the floor. This means that they have to stretch their limbs longer to get in and most likely jump off to get out. If you can help it, do not take seniors in four-wheel drives. If you cannot help it, you will need to get a stool. The stool is so that they can climb in and climb out at convenience.
Wherever they sit, make sure it is comfortable
It is usually best to keep them at the back, but they could sit at the front. Their joints are aged and mostly aching, so make sure that they can stretch out wherever they sit. If they are in the passenger seat at the front, lean the seat down so that their backs and legs are stretched out.
If they are seated at the back, make sure they are sitting behind the passenger’s seat, then push the seat to the front to make sure that they are stretched out well enough. Their comfort is vital. No matter what you do, make sure that they are comfortable, as some of their joints are not easy to stretch.
Airbags are lethal; keep them away
While you are trying your best to avoid accidents, know that airbags are lethal to senior people. This is why it was stated in the earlier point that keeping them at the back was a better idea. The dashboard at the front will naturally expel airbags if there is a collision unhealthy for seniors. Keep this in mind when driving.
It may seem exhausting, but if you sign up to be a caregiver, this is what comes with it. When driving a senior person, you must pay attention to all the details. Remember these safety tips, and you will be good to go.
