Mom Can't Drive!

Trilby · 09-15-2011, 06:26 AM

Took ma (78 yrs young) to her first neuro appointment yesterday.

She's not allowed to drive anymore.

Spatial/visual test says she's a danger to herself and others. Spatial/visual is, apparently, the first sign of dementia.

YAY!

I feel kind of sorry for her but, IMHO, she shouldn't have been driving for these past coupla years anyway.

now dad....he's going to be a whole 'nother story (winks to Infinite Monkey!)

they'll have to pry his car keys out of his cold dead hands.

Sundae · 09-15-2011, 10:23 AM

I do feel for her.
But given your concerns, it's obviously the best outcome.

My Mum can't drive, so would never miss it.
I do worry what will happen when and if Dad can't though.
Dad relies on the car for his freedom, and Mum hasn't walked anywhere since she retired (give or take a couple of yomps with me). I think if she understood how much she depends on him driving she'd have tried hard to get a licence years ago. She's six years younger than him after all...

chrisinhouston · 09-19-2011, 12:35 PM

My dad was 88 and suffering from macular degeneration and was to the point of driving with one hand over one eye just to see straight. We were at his monthly eye doctor appointment when I asked the doctor as my dad sat there, "should my father drive the car anymore?" "Absolutely not!" he replied. Dad was pissed off at me for a month or so after that.

A year or so later he came up with the idea to let my mother drive, she had advanced Alzheimers and had forgotten who all of us were. Dad explained that he still knew the way to get around town by memory and he could just tell our mother where to turn, stop or park, etc.

09-15-2011, 06:26 AM	#1
Trilby Slattern of the Swail Join Date: Jul 2004 Posts: 15,654	Mom Can't Drive! Took ma (78 yrs young) to her first neuro appointment yesterday. She's not allowed to drive anymore. Spatial/visual test says she's a danger to herself and others. Spatial/visual is, apparently, the first sign of dementia. YAY! I feel kind of sorry for her but, IMHO, she shouldn't have been driving for these past coupla years anyway. now dad....he's going to be a whole 'nother story (winks to Infinite Monkey!) they'll have to pry his car keys out of his cold dead hands. __________________ In Barrie's play and novel, the roles of fairies are brief: they are allies to the Lost Boys, the source of fairy dust and ...They are portrayed as dangerous, whimsical and extremely clever but quite hedonistic. "Shall I give you a kiss?" Peter asked and, jerking an acorn button off his coat, solemnly presented it to her. —James Barrie Wimminfolk they be tricksy. - ZenGum

09-15-2011, 10:23 AM	#2
Sundae polaroid of perfection Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: West Yorkshire Posts: 24,185	I do feel for her. But given your concerns, it's obviously the best outcome. My Mum can't drive, so would never miss it. I do worry what will happen when and if Dad can't though. Dad relies on the car for his freedom, and Mum hasn't walked anywhere since she retired (give or take a couple of yomps with me). I think if she understood how much she depends on him driving she'd have tried hard to get a licence years ago. She's six years younger than him after all... __________________ Life's hard you know, so strike a pose on a Cadillac

09-19-2011, 12:35 PM	#3
chrisinhouston Professor Join Date: Sep 2001 Location: Houston TX Posts: 1,857	My dad was 88 and suffering from macular degeneration and was to the point of driving with one hand over one eye just to see straight. We were at his monthly eye doctor appointment when I asked the doctor as my dad sat there, "should my father drive the car anymore?" "Absolutely not!" he replied. Dad was pissed off at me for a month or so after that. A year or so later he came up with the idea to let my mother drive, she had advanced Alzheimers and had forgotten who all of us were. Dad explained that he still knew the way to get around town by memory and he could just tell our mother where to turn, stop or park, etc.

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