Saturday, September 15, 2012

In South Carolina, Can You Legally Have Your Parents’ Driving Privileges Revoked?


Who Will Your Parents Listen to about Giving Up Driving?

Safety when driving is a major concern for families of elderly individuals. When seniors continue driving after they should give up their licenses, they can prove to be a hazard to themselves and the other drivers who are sharing the road. The home care professionals at Always Best Care of Rock Hill, serving York, Lancaster, and Chester counties, including the communities Rock Hill, Tega Cay, York, Clover, Fort Mill, Hickory Grove, McConnells, Sharon, Lake Wylie, and other nearby areas, know that this can be a sensitive subject to bring up with your elderly loved one; however, it is an important discussion to have if you believe that your senior needs to give up their keys.

Determining When It Is Time to Stop Driving

In the state of South Carolina, there are no special requirements for older drivers when renewing their license.* With a five-year in-person renewal cycle, individuals looking to maintain their license must only take a vision and knowledge test if they have over five points on their driving record. Additionally, if drivers have not had their license revoked, canceled, or suspended within the last two years, they can renew their license by mail.

Because the state doesn’t have many detection measures in place regarding when it is time for a senior to stop driving, it is largely up to the family to determine when it is time for their loved one to turn over their keys. This decision should be made when you are concerned about the safety of your loved one and other drivers on the road. Impaired vision, slower reflexes, and similar physical issues may contribute to this decision. Additionally, Alzheimer’s disease, memory loss, and other mental concerns could play a part.

Calling Upon the State

If you believe that your elderly loved one’s license should be revoked but you cannot get them to stop driving willingly, you may want to call upon the help of the state. South Carolina can assist in your efforts if you call the Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV). Explain your situation and the DMV’s representative can refer you to the Medical Department. The professionals in this department can guide you through the rest of the process.

The senior care providers of Always Best Care of Rock Hill are dedicated to the safety of elderly individuals. This is particularly true when it comes to driving, as operating a motor vehicle can prove exceedingly dangerous if the driver is not able to do so safely.

*All information about South Carolina driving and licensing regulations taken from Caregiverlist.


We at Always Best Care of Rock Hill are attuned to your needs and equipped with the knowledge and experience to make the transition to elderly care easier on you.  It is not an easy decision to make, so we have put together an E-booklet filled with tips, advice, and general information so that you are well informed, which you can find at http://bit.ly/OMRg8X.  If you decide to contact us to assist you care for your senior, we will discuss your needs and capabilities so that the change in their life is handled delicately.  Phil Davidson, the owner of Always Best Care of Rock Hill, awaits your phone call or email, whether it is today or farther down the road.

Phil Davidson
803-329-0079
Email: pdavidson@abc-seniors.com

Friday, September 14, 2012

Free Assisted Living Placement Services: Finding the Right Home for Your Senior


Choosing an assisted living facility can be a daunting task—particularly if you have never had this responsibility before. Who can you trust? What facility will best meet your loved one’s needs? The home care providers at Always Best Care of Rock Hill, serving York, Lancaster, and Chester counties, including the communities of Rock Hill, Tega Cay, York, Clover, Fort Mill, Hickory Grove, McConnells, Sharon, Lake Wylie, and other nearby areas, know that this decision can weigh heavily on your shoulders. That is why Always Best Care offers free assisted living placement services.

Finding the Right Assisted Living Facility

Your elderly loved one has specific needs when it comes to their care. For instance, they may require medical assistance. A variety of assisted living facilities are often available; however, they frequently offer different levels of care—and not all of them may meet the needs of your elderly loved one. This is why it is important to trust the recommendations of individuals who are well-versed in the senior care industry.

At Always Best Care of Rock Hill, your senior’s needs will be matched to facilities in the community. This ensures that the recommended facilities are able to care for your loved one in the necessary way. Additionally, it takes a great deal of the stress out of the facility tour process. When you visit the recommended assisted living homes, you will be able to focus on the details of the facilities, like the living arrangements, instead of whether or not the organization can provide the right degree of care to your loved one.

Asking the Right Questions

The professionals at Always Best Care are committed to assisting you in finding the right living arrangements for your loved one. For this reason, they are happy to answer any questions that you may have—and you are certain to have questions.

When touring a facility, ask about the care that residents receive. How often do they interact with senior care professionals? Are there any scheduled activities for members of the community?  The quality of life that your senior will experience is of the utmost importance. For this reason, it is crucial that you understand the lifestyle that they will enjoy if they choose the facilities that you tour.

Most importantly, Always Best Care of Rock Hill wants you and your loved one to be comfortable with the assisted living facility that you choose. With its free placement services, you can find the perfect community for your loved one without having to spend a fortune.


We at Always Best Care of Rock Hill are attuned to your needs and equipped with the knowledge and experience to make the transition to elderly care easier on you.  It is not an easy decision to make, so we have put together an E-booklet filled with tips, advice, and general information so that you are well informed, which you can find at http://bit.ly/OMRg8X.  If you decide to contact us to assist you care for your senior, we will discuss your needs and capabilities so that the change in their life is handled delicately.  Phil Davidson, the owner of Always Best Care of Rock Hill, awaits your phone call or email, whether it is today or farther down the road.

Thursday, September 13, 2012

Aging in Place: Helping Your Senior Stay at Home


Aging in place is important for many seniors, who want to live in the comfort of their homes for the remainder of their years. In fact, an AARP survey reveals that over 80 percent of seniors would prefer to age in place over moving into a nursing, assisted living, or other care facility. For many seniors, staying at home is more comfortable, allows them to retain their independence, is more convenient, and offers a stronger feeling of security. Additionally, it allows many seniors to stay close to family members. The home care providers at Always Best Care of Rock Hill, serving York, Lancaster, and Chester Counties, including the communities Rock Hill, Tega Cay, York, Clover, Fort Mill, Hickory Grove, McConnells, Sharon, Lake Wylie, and other nearby areas, know that aging in place is the wish of the vast majority of seniors; however, this requires families to plan for the needs of their elderly loved ones.

Aging is a process that requires seniors to go through many transitions. As they get older, individuals undergo physical, psychological, and mental changes that can affect the level of care that they need. For this reason, it is important that your family understands the services that your loved one will require. Some of these services include:

•    Yard maintenance

•    Maintenance of the exterior of the home

•    Transportation

•    Cleaning

•    Meal preparation and assistance eating

•    Meal delivery

•    Bathing and personal hygiene

•    Dressing

•    In-home care

•    Emergency care

If your elderly loved one wants to age in place, it is important that your family understands what these services are and where to access them. For this reason, you should consult with resources within your senior’s community to learn where you will need to go to secure these services when the time comes.

The elder care professionals at Always Best Care of Rock Hill offer invaluable resources regarding senior care. Through in-home care, they are able to provide companionship, assistance with activities of daily living, and similar services. Although these professionals do not provide all of the services that your elderly loved one will require, they can assist your family in determining the kind of care that your loved one needs while helping you locate resources that can provide the services your senior will rely upon. The professionals at Always Best Care can also provide a free assisted living placement service, which is invaluable in situations where aging in place is no longer the best option.



We at Always Best Care of Rock Hill are attuned to your needs and equipped with the knowledge and experience to make the transition to elderly care easier on you.  It is not an easy decision to make, so we have put together an E-booklet filled with tips, advice, and general information so that you are well informed, which you can find at http://bit.ly/OMRg8X.  If you decide to contact us to assist you care for your senior, we will discuss your needs and capabilities so that the change in their life is handled delicately.  Phil Davidson, the owner of Always Best Care of Rock Hill, awaits your phone call or email, whether it is today or farther down the road.