Taking car keys away from an aging loved one is a difficult thing to do, but in the last few months, a number of fatal car crashes nationwide have involved older drivers.
Now a local woman has started a service to get older people where they need to safely.
Eleanor Arbogast was recently driven from her home in Mount Sterling to her beauty shop in Grove City.
Her chauffeur, Allie Hill, is provided by Senior Helpers.
Driving is one of the services provided by the company started two years ago by Susan Kazmierczak.
Kazmierczak said she worried about the number of automobile crashes related to the aging process. Vision and hearing problems are only the start.
"Lots of physical problems; arthritis and things where people can't physically drive very well any more," she said. "And then of course, reactions slow as we age."
Kazmierczak says it is one of the most difficult conversations adult children can have with aging parents. But, she says, it's an important one.
"The hardest thing for seniors to do is is to give up their driver's license and their car keys," Kazmierczak said.
Arbogast's three daughters talked to her a year ago, and she agreed to become a passenger.
Her chauffeur takes her shopping, out lunch, to get her hair done, anywhere she wishes.
The service allows her to keep some freedom and stay safe.
"I'm pretty, pretty thankful that I have help," Arbogast said.
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Additional Information:
Warning signs that an older person's driving ability may be impaired:
- Drives too fast or too slow, brakes often or abruptly changes speed.
- Has trouble reading signs, pavement markings, or seeing after dark.
- Misjudges distances, frequently gets lost or misses turns.
- Has difficulty operating vehicle controls or confuses gas and brake pedals.
- Has difficulty making quick moves, is easily startled or fails to notice other vehicles.
- Acts agitated, confused, lethargic or anxious
- Struggles with left turns
