Drivers over the age of 65 years most often travel alone in their own vehicles or with two or more occupants. For most older drivers, the ability to get places independently is a precious privilege that is not given up easily. However, at some point, safety issues become more important. The crash rate for older drivers is related to physical and mental changes associated with aging, such as impaired vision, hearing loss, as well as, impaired mobility and neurological function. Medical conditions and medications also play a significant role in determining safety of older drivers.

Driving Tips

Older drivers should avoid night driving, rush-hour driving, freeway driving or driving in dangerous conditions such as snow or rain storms. Planning a driving route ahead of any lengthy road trip is helpful.

If the older driver’s skills behind the wheel cannot be improved to a reasonable degree of safety, other alternatives to driving should be sought. Use of public and private transportation services, ride sharing, senior citizen shuttles, volunteer services, friends, family and neighbors are the most common options.

Another alternative is to limit the need for driving through home delivery whenever possible. Older drivers should remember that losing a small degree of independence does not compare to serious injury or death of oneself or any passenger.

Average North American families face financial difficulties every day. Unfortunately, while many families manage to pay off most of their loans by the time they hit 50, there are many seniors who are still facing difficulties well into their 60′s and 70′s.

Depending on when (and if) you had children, when you bought your first home and any other expenses over the years, it could be virtually impossible to have everything paid off by the time you turn 60. Some individuals are just turning 60 when their children are graduating high school, which means college savings are still very high on their list of financial burdens. Likewise, if you didn’t buy your home until you were 40 or 50, you may still be paying off your mortgage.

These expenses are only going to become more difficult to pay as you approach retirement and your income experiences a severe decrease.

There are many ways to relieve some of the financial burden you may be facing as a senior. Chances are you have put a lot of money into your home. You know your home has a lot of value, which opens up a lot of opportunities. Talk to a financial advisor about home equity loans or reverse mortgages.

These will help give you some money now without having to pay through-the-roof interest rates like you would have to do on normal loans. Using some of this cash to pay for your children’s college savings will help save a lot of money on interest as well.

Another option is selling your home. If your children have moved out and it’s just you (or you and your significant other), there’s really no need for one or two people living in such a large home. Selling your home and buying something smaller (and less expensive) will open up opportunities for you to have a little extra spending money for trips, cars, cottages etc.