BENEFITS OF NOT DRIVING

At first life without a car will seem like a major adjustment to deal with. It is normal for you client to feel frustrated and angry when they have been driving their whole life and they may feel ashamed or worry that they are losing their independence. As an occupational therapist you need to remind them that it takes a lot of courage to stop driving and put the safety of yourself and others first. Saisen et al, 2013 lists many benefits to living without a car. The ones I thought mentioning are listed below and they may help people deal with the shock of not being able to drive anymore.

·   Save money on the cost of car ownership, including car insurance, maintenance, registration, and gasoline. These savings can pay for alternative transportation if necessary.

·   Improve your health. Giving up the car keys often means walking or cycling more, which can have a hugely beneficial effect on your health. Regular exercise can help elderly people to boost their energy, sleep better, and improve confidence. It can also help you manage the symptoms of illness and pain, maintain your independence, and even reverse some of the signs of aging. And not only is exercise good for your body it’s good for your mind, mood, and memory.

·   Expand your social circle. While many elderly people have difficulty to accept a ride offer from others they need to find a way of accepting rides that makes them comfortable. For example, offering a friend money for gas, or offering to cook a meal in return for your friend driving.

References

Saisan, J., White, M., Robinson, L. (2013). Age and Driving. Retrieved from 
http://www.helpguide.org/elder/senior_citizen_driving.htm