‘Driving Retirement’: How to tell a loved one when it’s time to hang up the keys [Video]

For many families, telling a loved one that it is time to give up driving can be difficult and painful. As an occupational therapist at Hebrew Rehabilitation Center in Dedham, it is something Laura Lee sees all the time. “Driver retirement is really challenging if you’re not prepared to retire from driving,” Lee said. But it’s a conversation more Americans are — or will soon — be having. AAA estimates that by 2030, there will be more than 70 million Americans aged 65 and older and up to 90% of them will be licensed to drive. Seniors are now outliving their ability to drive safely by an average of 10 years, according to AAA.”Driving is a complex task,” said Lee. “You need good vision perception. You need good mental flexibility and physical skills to react quick enough.”Lee often helps seniors through the injuries that come with aging. That can include …