The first time my grandma’s new driver took a turn too fast, my heart skipped about five beats.
I stared from the window, watching them disappear around the corner, thinking,
“Well, this isn’t going according to the grand plan.”
Image by Caique Silva Fotografo from Pixabay
Entrusting a loved one’s safety to someone else requires due diligence. Heck, it requires something a lot more meticulous than that.
We’re not talking about choosing the ripest avocado from the supermarket shelf; we’re talking about ensuring the safety of someone who probably still remembers the taste of the very first avocado they ever tried.
But, who am I kidding? I’ve never tasted an avocado from the 1940s.
Now, immerse yourself in Mrs. Smith’s shoes.
Mrs. Smith, a lovely woman, is on a mission. Her father, sprightly at 85, decided it was time to hang up his driving gloves. But surrendering the keys didn’t mean surrendering his life.
He’s more active than a squirrel in autumn.
He’s got places to be – book clubs, doctor’s appointments, that secret salsa class he thinks Mrs. Smith doesn’t know about (she totally does).
And so began Mrs. Smith’s adventure to find a driver for her dad. Here’s what she learned:
Inquire About Previous Driving Experience and Record
Mrs. Smith started with a casual conversation.
Nothing too probing, just a chat over a coffee (which was more spill than sips, thanks to her jittery nerves).
She found out about the driver’s past employers, reasons for leaving, and any potential, ahem, skirmishes with the traffic police.
Turns out, not every candidate was as clean as their pressed shirts.
Verify State-Specific DMV Driving Records
Mrs. Smith knew better than to just go by words; after all, actions (or, in this case, driving records) speak louder.
She popped over to her state’s DMV, keeping in mind that DMV records are state-specific.
While many came out shining, cleaner than her freshly laundered linens, others were more muddied than her garden after a rainstorm.
A decade-old speeding ticket?
Forgivable.
But a series of misadventures on the road in recent years?
That’s a hard pass.
Pose Situational and Hypothetical Questions
Here’s where things got interesting.
Mrs. Smith crafted hypothetical scenarios.
“What would you do if another car swerved in front of you?”,
“How would you handle Dad if he decides he wants to go on an impromptu adventure to, oh, let’s say, Vegas?”
Some answers were reassuring.
Others? Let’s just say she now knows to avoid drivers with an affection for casino buffets.
Determine the Vehicle to be Used (Yours or Theirs)
Mrs. Smith had to tackle the age-old conundrum.
Her dad’s vintage Cadillac or the driver’s modern sedan?
She weighed the pros and cons. In the end, she decided on a mix based on the journey.
Short trips in the Caddy, longer ones in the more fuel-efficient sedan.
Conduct a Live Test Drive to Assess Skills
The theory is all well and good, but the proof is in the driving, isn’t it?
Mrs. Smith, clutching her handbag like a lifeline, went on test drives.
Some rides felt like she was in a James Bond car chase.
Others? Smooth as butter.
Establish and Clarify Well-Defined Ground Rules
With a firm hand, Mrs. Smith set the guidelines for the road.
Rule No. 1 was to always observe speed limits.
Forbidden destinations were set in stone, and certain neighborhoods were off-limits.
No driving post-sunset, as her dad’s vision wasn’t what it used to be, and she didn’t want to risk it.
The driver should not run personal errands, and detours were to be avoided unless discussed prior.
Her experience over the years taught her that clarity was key, and she had no intentions of blurring the lines.
1. Prioritize Your Physical Health
As weeks turned into months, Mrs. Smith felt she had hit the jackpot. She finally hired Mr. Jenkins, an experienced driver with a penchant for humming Sinatra songs.
The day dawned when Dad and Mr. Jenkins embarked on their first journey together. Twenty minutes after they drove off, she received a text from her father: “Reached safely. He even hums my favorite Sinatra tune!”
But here’s the thing, Mrs. Smith will never stop worrying. Every time that car turns a corner, every time her phone buzzes, a part of her will always wonder.
Because that’s what it’s like, isn’t it? When you care deeply, there’s always that tiny what-if niggling at the back of your mind.
So, where does our tale end? With a lesson, of course.
While Mrs. Smith’s story is riddled with humor and a touch of drama, it underscores the depth of the task.
Hiring a driver for a senior isn’t just about ensuring they get from Point A to B. It’s about peace of mind. It’s about trust. It’s about knowing that while you can’t always be there, someone reliable is looking out for them.
But like every good (or at least semi-decent) story, there isn’t always a full stop. Just an ellipsis… a continuation of hopes, fears, and relentless humming of Sinatra tunes.
(Note to self: Check if Sinatra-humming drivers are a niche market. And remember, no avocado toast at the next writing session.)
