Convincing family members who are senior drivers that they're no longer safe to drive and to give up the car keys is tough. No one wants to give up the freedom, independence, and fun of driving their own car. But you also don't want to come home some day to discover they have seriously injured themselves--or killed an innocent driver or pedestrian because they're not safe to drive anymore.

Here are half-a-dozen tips to help convince senior drivers to give up the keys and make the transition easier for everyone concerned:

1. Keep the Conversation Loving and Supportive

Be understanding about your loved one's unwillingness to take a step that will make a drastic change in their daily life. This is a tough decision for anyone. Make it as easy as possible.

2. Meet Them Halfway

Maybe it's only night vision that's a problem, or a sense of confusion when merging on and off freeways. Maybe they tend to get lost on unfamiliar streets. Ask if they'd be willing to give up night driving, travel only on surface roads rather than freeways, or drive only within a certain distance of home. Knowing they don't have to give up their cars entirely might make them willing to give up their most dangerous driving.

3. Give up the Car Keys and Offer Alternative Transportation

Offer to pick Dad up once a week to meet friends, or take Mom to the hairdresser or to visit Aunt Sally. Tell them about senior assistance van options. Explore local bus routes and times. Check out the availability of taxis and typical fares to places they might want to go.

4. Do the Math

Owning and driving a car is expensive. Gas, insurance, maintenance and repairs, parking fees, tag and license renewals—they all add up to a hefty annual bill. Show your loved one how they can take all the taxis, buses, vans they want, keep their independence and freedom of movement, and still spend a lot less money by the end of the year.

5. Explore Home Options

Can groceries be delivered? Can you arrange home visits by a pastor, medical aides, social workers? Show them how much fun it can be to order gifts and other items they need from mail-order catalogs, TV shopping channels or online stores.

5. Remind them of Past Dangers

Gently bring up the last accident, last week's "close call," the new ding on the fender or dent in the quarter panel. Remind them of the time they ran into the mail box or gouged out the neighbor's lawn. Point out any traffic tickets or warnings they've had for unsafe driving. Driving is exhausting when you know you're not really safe, always worrying you'll hurt yourself or someone else. Tell them it's time now to relax and let someone else do the driving.

6. Ask the Doctor for Help

If you're meeting resistance, ask your loved one's doctor for an opinion. If she thinks Dad shouldn't be driving, she can support your point of view in the conversation.

It might take more than one conversation to convince your older loved one to give up the car keys. Go slow, stay supportive, offer alternatives. Make sure they understand you're doing this because you love them. Then once they agree, make life as easy and rich as possible—without the car.