Senior citizen's behind the wheel have been scrutinized lately due to publicized traffic accidents involving seniors and plummeting support for their ability to drive.

Newton-Wellesley Hospital will aim to address concerns of people who feel it's time to take the keys away from their elderly parents and grandparents but don't know how to begin the conversation.

Debbie Kerrigan, occupational therapist at Newton-Wellesley Hospital and coordinator of the Drive Safe Program, will host a seminar Dec. 6 about how to assess when it's time to insist elderly drivers stop and how to begin the discussion.

The seminar, which takes place at 7 p.m. in the Bowles Conference Center, is broken up into three parts: assessing the meaning of driving to an older driver, planning the conversation, and having the conversation. To some older drivers, being able to drive is a symbol of independence; for others, it's just a mode of transportation, Kerrigan said. But most importantly, it's about figuring out where an older driver falls within that spectrum before deciding to have the talk.

"One of the myths we dispel is older drivers should just stop driving," she said. "It's just not true."

Concerned family members should be watching out for and elderly driver's performance over time, Kerrigan said, and should not focus on one isolated incident.

"They see one minor fender bender and they jump to conclusions," she said. "Anybody can have one incident."

There is not necessarily one age at which people should stop driving, Kerrigan said. Instead, the assessment should be made depending on how a person is aging. Reaction time slows as people age, but at different paces for different people. One driver could be done in his 60s while another could go well into his 80s.

Kerrigan will also tackle the sensitive issue of how to approach an older driver who has been deemed beyond being able to drive. She said it's likely the most difficult part of the process.

"You need a jumping off point," she said. "You don't want to have all the siblings sitting around together and pull mom aside. It won't work."

One approach is to offer compensations. Some older drivers may limit their driving to only day time or they might choose to stay off highways.

Mainly, the conversation and decision, while difficult, can work if the driver is treated with fairness.

"It's about respect," she said.

To reserve a seat for this free event by calling CareFinder at 617.243.6383.