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96 YO Mother fall questions

Aging Well | Last Active: May 15 8:04pm | Replies (121)

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@woojr -- I'd bet you know your mom better than anyone. Based on your informal assessement of her physical / mental capacity, at the very least, I think I'd also want a true assessment by experts of my mother's actual abilities. This would include getting both a cognitive test covering the rules of the road; a physical, behind-the-wheel and in traffic assessment by a professional instructor; and even her GP's medical opinion of her functional level, strength, response time, hand / feet coordination, and a vision test.

Here in FL, I believe a close family member can informally request the DMV to follow up on a concern with respect to seniors of a certain age. The request may be asked to be handled anonymously. Companies and individuals here that complete the driving assessment must be trained and licensed. While our DMV also undertakes "minimal eye tests" through our driving years, it may further request, based on a professional's recommendation, that a more comprehensive vision exam be undertaken.

Of course, the goal of the above is to safeguard the life of the senior driver... AND the general public... while allowing a driver the opportunity to demonstrate her / his continued safe driving skills.

All the best!

/LarryG

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Replies to "@woojr -- I'd bet you know your mom better than anyone. Based on your informal assessement..."

@larryg333, thank you for your comments. I believe we're close to the end of her driving. The effort she has to exert these days just keeping her fluids down is exhausting. She quit physical therapy because they wanted to do an assessment like you describe. We've been to the cardiologist and she will be getting a new pacemaker in June. She's getting bloodwork tomorrow to check potassium and sodium levels which have been a problem. As far as driving, she needs my help just getting into my car for any needed trips. She insists on staying in her home and doing all the daily things like cooking and taking care of bills and when I stop in (daily now), she's usually asleep in her recliner. I have to wiggle her feet to wake her. She's becoming more forgetful. Surprisingly her balance has been okay. She realizes she can't get up too fast. Her weight has been steady which is amazing since her caloric intake is really low as well as the daily lasix treatments. Thanks again Larry