Dear Amy: One of my best friends just moved to a senior housing community after her husband died. She is 78 and in pretty good health.

Her daughter decided that she should give up her car since where she is living, she could just take Uber or a cab. The place where she lives also has a van that takes people shopping, etc.

I think the daughter did this for her (the daughter’s) own peace of mind, since my friend drove all of her life for her business and has only had one small accident over the years.

My friend feels very uncomfortable taking a cab or Uber. I’m sure her daughter doesn’t realize this.

I don’t want to get in the middle of a family decision, but I think her daughter has made a big mistake to handicap her mother in this way. My friend is now depending on others to take her places. She does take a cab once in a while.

By the way, money is not an issue.

Should I talk to her daughter?

β€” Concerned Friend

Dear Friend: I assume that your friend still has her driver’s license. If you are local, and available, you could guarantee her specific days and times when the two of you could go on outings. If you believe she is a safe driver, then let her drive.

Cabs and Uber or Lyft rides are great, and using the auto-billing is very helpful and handy, but these options may take some getting used to. You could accompany your friend on a few of these trips to show her how easy it is to use the app on her phone. Many riders develop relationships with specific drivers and can make arrangements to be ferried around on an appointment basis.

Your friend has changed her residence and surrendered her own car, but this doesn’t mean she has completely surrendered her life and choices to her daughter. Discuss all of this with her, offering up whatever safe options you see.

Ask her first if she would like you to discuss any of this with her daughter, but otherwise, she still has the right to make her own choices.


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Contact Amy Dickinson at: askamy@amydickinson.com.