The body and the mind go through changes as people age. Driving abilities may differ as individuals get older. Driving requires stable physical condition and keenness of perception. Individuals in their senior years may experience physical and mental changes that can affect ability to drive.

It is important for seniors to understand and accept that their bodies are subject to limitations. There are age-related conditions associated with sense of sight, hearing, and other senses that can affect driving skills. Awareness and acceptance can help seniors become more cautious when driving while ignorance or denial can lead to irresponsible and reckless behavior on the road.

Here are some physical and mental changes that older individuals should mindful of.

• Vision may deteriorate because of aging. As people age, it may become challenging to keep track of multiple things such as road signs, signals, markings, traffic lights, and pedestrian. Driving at night may also become more difficult.

• Vision problems such as cataracts, glaucoma and macular degeneration may cause visual problems such as blurry or hazy vision and reduced sense of sight. Complications in vision may make it difficult for seniors to see other cars and pedestrians on the road.

• Hearing may also decline. Poor hearing due to age may make it difficult for seniors to hear things in a noisy environment. Inability to detect high-pitched sounds that indicate some kind of warning such as ambulance sirens or railroad warnings can put people at risk.

• It is important for drivers to be able to apply defensive driving techniques on the road to avoid dangerous situations. Seniors may lack alertness and quick response necessary in defensive driving. Seniors may have slower reaction time. They may also have poorer coordination and flexibility.

• Muscles weaken because of age. Older adults may experience slower motor reflexes. Health conditions such as arthritis can make basic maneuvering hard.

• Pain in the neck can hinder seniors from looking over their shoulders when changing lanes or looking at opposite directions to check for other vehicles or pedestrians.

• Pain in the knees, ankles, leg, and feet may make it hard for individuals to move their feet and legs. Difficulty pressing on the gas or brake may cause road accidents.

• Weakness and pain in the arms and hands can make it difficult to move the steering wheel when making a turn or changing lanes.

Not all seniors are automatically deprived of driving privileges. Some older adults may still drive provided that they understand their limitations and learn to take charge of their health. Eating a healthy and balanced diet, engaging in proper exercise and getting enough sleep can promote better health. Regular check-ups are very important in determining the capability of seniors to drive. Older individuals should have their vision and hearing checked annually. Doctors can recommend if individuals are fit to drive or not. Take note that certain medications can interfere with driving. For instance, some drugs can cause drowsiness. Physicians can advise seniors about the effects of their ailments and corresponding medications on their driving abilities.

Author Bio:

This article is written by Joseph Joffo on behalf of www.econocarental.com, this is having topics on senior drivers, older drivers, should elderly people be allowed to drive and many more. View more information on elderly people driving on the web right now!

Whether you are on a group holiday to Phuket, or enjoying a conservative Thailand package tour, everyone has a free day to explore your true passion. Some could explore the fascinating Thailand beaches around while others would indulge in true specialty – Thai nightlife. The exotic beach clubs are better stress-relievers than local spas for some people. Fact is there are too many places to visit in Thailand than you can cover in time and money you have. So, pick your favorite travel activities well and enjoy them thoroughly on your holiday. The easiest way to enjoy your free day is to go for day trips in nearby destinations.

Phi Phi Islands: There are several islands around Phuket that offer sensational experiences worth the visit. You can visit Phi Phi Islands i.e. Ko Phi Phi Don and Ko Phi Phi Leh. Though these islands are great for diving and snorkeling, you can also go cliff jumping, rock climbing, fishing and more. But, if you want to relax on your day trip, you can explore the beaches such as Maya Bay, Laem Tong Beach, Loh Bagao Bay, Pi Leh Bay, Bamboo Island, Loh Dalum Bay, Monkey Bay and Long Beach. You wouldn’t visit all these beaches in day trip, yet it would be spectacular travel experience for you.

Villages: Khao Lak is a 20 km long series of coastal resorts. This central hub has almost everything you ever need on the beach itself. Whether you want to go diving or enjoying a drink on beach along with ethereal sunset, the serenity and soothing ambiance of these villages is unforgettable.

Phang Nga Bay Islands: Located between Phuket, phang Nga and Krabi, there are bunch of magnificent and enthralling islands known as Ko Bon, Ko Hae, Ko Lon, Ko Mai Thon, Ko maphrao (Coconut island), Ko Racha and KoYao. Vast limestone karsts and anti-gravity rocks are great travel attractions. Yet, its claim to fame is as James Bond islands. One day tour package to these islands could be enchanting experience with snorkeling, canoeing to sea caves and hidden beaches.

When you visit Thailand for package tour, you want everything it stands for: high end dining, spa, shopping, nightlife, stunning beaches, local attractions and water sports. Honestly, you cannot put it all in cute little tour package. But, the core spirit of Thailand is the tropical beauty with all leisure and comforts in today’s modern society.

When you are spending money on a family holiday insurance policy, everything needs to be crystal clear, including the limits and the coverage, the terms and conditions, and the fine print that goes along with the policy. All of these aspects need to be fully understood by you, so that when the time comes that you may need to make a claim, it will be an easy and hassle-free process.

While questions that you have may vary depending on the type of policy that you are considering, these following questions are the most important and need to be answered as a priority.

Can My Pre-existing Medical Condition Be Covered?

When choosing family holiday insurance where you are all covered under one policy, individual needs must still be met, and this may include specific medical conditions. The rules regarding pre-existing medical conditions may vary from provider to provider so it’s best to not assume anything. When it comes to pregnancy, however, naturally there are exclusions. For instance, expectant women are only covered up to a certain period during their pregnancy, which usually cuts off a few weeks before their due date.

Does Our Policy Cover Holidays to Multiple Destinations?

Normally, you can select between single-trip and multi-trip policies – there are easy enough options to choose from when looking for a family holiday insurance policy. But when you are planning on a single trip but with multiple destinations, you need to be clear with your inquiry so you can find out what option will best provide you with the appropriate cover. If your family goes on vacations multiple times a year anyway, then it would be best to choose a multi-trip policy and then specify the destinations that you want to be covered. (It will be cheaper in the long run, and you only have to do it once.) But if you want a single-trip policy, there are also options on what destinations you want to be covered, depending on the provider. Either way, you need to clear this up very early on in the process.

Are Cruises Covered?

Not all insurers will provide coverage for a cruise, but there are those that include a cruise holiday as part of their basic coverage. The only way to really be sure is to ask. Another important point to consider when going on a cruise is whether the policy will be able to cover all the countries you intend to visit during the cruise.

The basic rule of thumb when choosing family holiday insurance is that it’s better to be detail-oriented to the point of being neurotic than to be dismissive about your family’s safety and your expenses.