Discuss Transportation Alternatives

Effective conversations encourage future planning and show respect for the older adult’s ability to make appropriate decisions. When you observe the older person modifying his or her driving habits, use these opportunities to explore transportation options together to give the older adult time to adjust to them.

Here are suggestions of what to say:

"If you don't want to drive at night, we can arrange for someone to pick you up."
Commend the older driver for being cautious and help arrange transportation.

"Let's take the bus so we don't have to deal with the parking downtown."
Practice public transportation together before it becomes a necessity. And remember, public transportation may be difficult or impossible to use for some older adults with physical or cognitive difficulties. In these cases, families are often the first and only alternative transportation.

"You could save hundreds of dollars if you sold your car."
Insurance, maintenance, depreciation, and gasoline costs make owning and operating a car expensive. Even taxi services can be more economical. Use the Transportation Cost Worksheet to understand the costs of driving alternatives.

"What if something happened and you couldn't drive? What would you do?"
Ask what-if questions to encourage advance planning.