Impact Of Medications On The Driving Skills Of Seniors In Palm Beach County

Nearly 34% of seniors account for all prescription medication use and 30% of seniors report over-the-counter medication use. The study conducted on this reveals that seniors in Palm Beach County take more than one medication in a day. Taking medications makes seniors susceptible to various forms of mismanagement, especially driving. 

Moreover, the majority of the seniors who drive don’t speak to their physicians regarding the effect medications have on their driving ability. 

Seniors in Palm Beach County need to understand how the medications interfere with their driving abilities. 

Tips For The Seniors To Drive In Palm Beach County 

Usually, seniors in Palm Beach County shouldn’t drive due to mobility and other issues. Still, if seniors are driving, they must be clear about the impact of medications on their driving. Consequently, here are some tips for seniors to drive safely.

Know the side effects

Be it prescription or over-the-counter medication, every medication has side effects listed in the small print on the box. Ask the seniors in Palm Beach County to always review the side effects of each medication along with the new ones given by the physician. 

If seniors or you are unsure about the side effects of the medication, then you may notice symptoms such as dizziness, blurred vision, fainting, nausea, and others. 

Plan ahead 

Ask seniors to check the list of medications provided by the Food and Drug Administration to check which medications affect seniors’ ability to drive and might create safety hazards for seniors as well as others in Palm Beach County.

Some dangerous medications for seniors while driving include antidepressants, sleeping pills, pain relievers, and prescription drugs. 

Seniors driving after taking these medications can turn out to be unsafe for them. Consequently, the key is to always plan. 

Talk to pharmacist 

If you have concerns about the side effects of medications and can’t discuss them with a senior healthcare provider, you can consult your pharmacist in Palm Beach County. Pharmacists are knowledgeable about medication side effects, can offer advice on managing them, and can provide printed information about your medications upon request.