Driving a car is a sign of independence. You’re free to hie off wherever you want, when you want it. You don’t wait for someone to take you there. You need not stress yourself as you rush to catch the last train. And you can take as many things with you because you need not share space with a fellow traveler.
No wonder driving has become a favorite activity for many Americans. Over 75 percent of adults have a driver’s license. Forty million of these are aged 65 and above. For them, driving is more than just a means of getting around. It’s a way out of depression.
“Seniors do not want to talk about or think about when they can’t drive,” observes Sandi Rosenbloom, a professor at the University of Texas at Austin. Asked up to what age they will drive solo, Rosenbloom reported that seniors usually said they expect to be behind the wheel for another 10 years.
But driving gets more challenging as people age. Stiff muscles and joints from arthritis may make it hard for them to crane their neck to check for a blind spot. Glaucoma, cataract, and macular degeneration may keep them from seeing the road ahead, especially at night.
Weakness and fatigue can creep in faster and pose dangers to seniors behind the wheel. This is why older adults who want to enjoy the benefits of driving for longer period of time must find ways to stay healthy. (MORE)
Source: Natural News
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