When is it Time to Stop Driving in Aging?

Рет қаралды 5,135

Күн бұрын

Пікірлер: 18

@patkcalifornia8301 3 ай бұрын

This topic certainly brought back memories ... of what NOT to do when your mother begins to be more forgetful but still drives (this was in her early 80's). She was always an excellent driver ... and continued to drive responsibly, voluntarily, on her own initiative, giving up rush hour, freeway and night-time driving . But her forgetfulness really irritated my Dad and brother ... and one day, between them, they decided that Mom should no longer drive. So brother + wife sat Mom down and did the "We love you Mom, but we need you to hand over your car keys" routine. I heard later from Dad that he'd never seen my Mom so angry. She escorted bro + wife to the door and told them not to come back! And continued to drive responsibly. When she was 88, she had a TIA and was told not to drive for one year, at which point the DMV would need to re-evaluate her. She did as she was told ... and then passed the written, vision and road driving tests with flying colors. At the same time, I finally talked Dad into actually having her evaluated by a geriatric specialist who arranged for over 3 hours of testing. Diagnosis: mild cognitive impairment. She continued to drive, incident free, for another 3 years before testing showed that she just barely crossed the threshold into dementia based on testing. At that point, rather than having a family member take away her keys, stirring up a lot of ill will, we let the DMV do our dirty work for us. Mom went in for a regular driving evaluation, passed her written test, passed the vision test ... but the DMV then sat her down, assured her that she WAS a good driver, but that they simply could not renew her license once she received the dementia diagnosis. Fortunately, the woman who gave her this news was extraordinarily kind and compassionate, explaining that the State could be sued if she caused an accident with her diagnosis. And Mom understood. Today my Mom is 96 and lives in a memory care facility. But her dementia proved to be a vascular one, not Alzheimer's, so we are fortunate to still have delightful conversations with her to this day. We simply don't ask her what she had for breakfast that morning because she won't remember!

@alberthaug-t4p 3 ай бұрын

I am 68 years old and past year I had problem not seeing vehicle out of right mirror in my van. Many close calls. Went for vestibular therapy for balance and found out my right side peripheral vision is compromised. What a relief to find out why I did not see those vehicles on the right side. Had eye exam and glaucoma exam showed problems and having further tests. Also have stenosis of c-5 c-6 of neck that needs a spinal fusion. This area can effect vision as well. Surgery planned in 2 months. I now have to turn my head further to the right when checking right mirror that can take my vision off front of me. A person has to be there own advocate and that's about all I can say. It is not always someone else fault for a almost or a accident.

@veraorthlieb 3 ай бұрын

Thanks for talking about driving and older people, including those with Alzheimers.

@leeturner1202 3 ай бұрын

Thank you for a very well thought out and presented summary of the issues involved. As I get older, I know I need to be alert and aware of how my own abilities are changing, and whether or I not I can even evaluate myself objectively. I hope I can maintain that ability into the future. I also need to be aware of what is happening with my wife, and need to be concerned about her safety. Sometimes, this is just all too much to think about, but we need to try.

@nealeburgess6756 3 ай бұрын

You have made a good analysis of the situation. I strongly feel that many people have a poor perception of how "dangerous" older drivers are. They tend to think they are way more dangerous than statistics actually show. As a driving instructor I would like to increase awareness of adjustments that can be made for medical problems. People who have use of at least 2 limbs can drive a car safely. If someone has lost the use of one or two limbs (either hands/arms or feet/legs) it may still be possible to drive with modified controls on the car, and re-training how to drive. I have an older friend who was paralysed (legs) after a back operation that went wrong. He now drives with hand controls. He was a very successful racing driver years ago. He is still an amazingly capable driver with well above average skills. Finally an observation about risk/autonomy assesment in general (not just about driving). I had an elderly aunt who was deaf. She lived in a sheltered housing complex. Her one little bit of pleasure was to walk across the road (just a quiet local road) to buy an ice cream. I perceived the risks involved were minimal, and the pleasure it gave her was worth the risk. However, the staff at the home stopped her going. Although they meant well, I was deeply saddened by that decision.

@BetterHealthWhileAging 3 ай бұрын

Thank you for sharing these stories. I agree that it's important to put safety risks in context, and often it's quite reasonable to tolerate a bit of a safety risk if it brings a lot of value to the older person.

@georgefozzard6177 3 ай бұрын

Get a vehicle with Full Self Driving (FSD) capabilities, I did. They're not perfect, but they're getting better all the time!

@edwardlulofs444 Ай бұрын

What is the lowest price for self driving cars? If I can’t afford it, that will determine when I check out.

@georgefozzard6177 Ай бұрын

@@edwardlulofs444 Hello Ed! A 2024 Model 3 base model (with full self driving capabilities) starts at around $38,990, minus the $7500 tax credit, making it about $31,490. The FSD is an add-on which can be purchase with the car or as a monthly subscription. On October 10th, Tesla will be announcing their RoboTaxi which maybe an option. No vehicle maintenance or insurance required, and should be safer and less expensive than an Uber.

@nancybryant6549 3 ай бұрын

Totally excellent!!

@flyingthesails6801 3 ай бұрын

Yesterday in Lexington, South Carolina, a 17 year old kid on a motorcycle was doing well over 80 MPH on a residential street in a subdivision. A retired 63 year old firefighter was crossing the street to get his mail. The kid hit the 63 year old and they both died. What is interesting is that the community is more upset that the kid died and not the old, retired Firefighter. It is so obvious how SC feels about old people. If the young people had the power, they would load us all up and send us to the Soylent Green factory. That is how much they hate old people.

@BetterHealthWhileAging 3 ай бұрын

Oh, that is so sad! Agree it's troubling if the community is grieving the teen more than the older adult.

@l1uywpap1 3 ай бұрын

I love that comment so much at 87. Maybe it’s because I liked the movie & have it in my DVD collection. Always liked Charlton Heston and it was Edward G Robinson’s last movie & he died just weeks after finishing that movie.

@lizhall2961 3 ай бұрын

When my reflexes slowed considerably to worsen neuropathy, I suppose, I decisively stopped driving 6 years ago. I have a couple of elderly friends who drive when they should not. But I could conscientiously risk hitting a person, animal, or damaging another's property. I missed it but have the satisfaction of doing the right thing. Still, giving up an aspect of one's independence is an adjustment. So I am sympathetic.

@BetterHealthWhileAging 2 ай бұрын

Thank you for sharing your story.

@JeanBuennagel 2 ай бұрын

Great information! You showed a list of things to look for when checking on an older person's driving. It is from The Hartford (insurance company?). How can I find a copy of that list? The Hartford has some good information their website, but I couldn't find a list like yours.