Posted under General
Friends,
While driving I mostly listen to NPR and yesterday heard a report that caught my attention since I am passionate about issues of aging. The report was about a Florida initiative to actively screen older drivers to ensure safety. An agency has been formed (sorry I don’t recall its name) to handle the screening and testing. An elder can be referred for screening by family, friends, police or anyone. Referral sources are kept confidential. Then the elder goes through testing to determine if driving restrictions should be placed upon him or her. I was glad to hear the spokeperson for the agency talk about how they hold the dignity of the elder in high regard and will try their best to allow the highest level fo independence. It’s no secret that our country does not have many options for transportation other than our cars. When an elder can no longer drive it seems to signal a loss of indepence that cuts to the core. This is such a tough issue for families to deal with. There is not an easy answer. What are your thoughts about the issue of older drivers?
Best regards,
Ann
Victoria Pennock on 02 Dec 2009 at 9:25 pm #
Ann,
I agree that family should monitor the elders as they get up there in age. My mother in law is to the point that she knows she can’t drive at night, her vision won’t allow it anymore. We noticed that she was shrinking and was having trouble seeing over the dashboard, so we suggested she buy a different car. Her new one brings her body up enough that she can clearly see over the dash and feels more in control.
I my practice, I had an elder client that I worried about making appts here at my studio. I offered to go to her apt. but I could tell that the stress of caring for her husband was still on her shoulders as I worked on her there. I finally offered to pick her up and take her home. She wouldn’t have any of this at first. I suggested that we try it and if she didn’t like it, we would look for another solution. She lived only about a mile from me. After the first time, I could tell that things were different. She was happy and cheerful when I picked her up and after the massage, she had time to slowly get herself collected and I helped her into my car and made sure she got up to her house. Before I left her, I scanned her eyes and could tell she was ultimately relaxed and she reassured me with a mother’s hug. That alone was priceless.
Janet on 03 Dec 2009 at 1:25 pm #
As the daughter of a 91-year-old that exhibits slight confusion from time to time, still walks on his own, but certainly is not as alert nor responsive as one would hope behind the wheel, I think this sounds like an excellent program. It’s wonderful the identity of the referral is kept confidential; and it’s also wonderful the agency recognizes it is important to respect the dignity of the elder. As you said, it’s not an easy situation. But I know that far more upsetting to my Dad than losing his license, would be if he caused an accident that seriously injured or killed someone. If part of the testing includes responsiveness and ability to react to a sudden change in the situation or conditions, I think it’s a great idea. That same test could be given to all of the driving population as well, either upon license renewal or when first getting a driver’s license…to ensure no discrimination against elders. Thanks for sharing what you learned, Ann.
Cassie on 20 Jan 2010 at 2:27 am #
We are dealing with this issue currently with my mother-in-law who is 76 years old. Recently it was discovered that she has had a stroke. While she is currently able to carry on conversations, walk and help out around the house a bit…I am very concerned about her driving or being left alone. The stroke, you see damaged her short term memory. She forgets and is realizing that she has forgotten things. Today she forgot that she was here at my house. I am very uncomfortable with giving her keys to her car. If she doesn’t get lost…she could end up in an accident hurting herself and possibly others. There comes a time when you have to do the responsible thing and take the keys away for their safety and the safety of others. It is not an easy thing to do. I have done it twice already with other family members who have since passed away. Yes it does hurt their independence, yes it is a hard thing to do, but there are alternatives. With my grandparents I would go to their house and take them lunch and run errands for them. Later it turned into me running them to Dr. appts. My grandpa, one day just handed me the keys to the car. He was happy to let someone else drive. Stepping up and offering help seems to soften the blow to thier independence.