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How do you accept change as you age?

Aging Well | Last Active: Nov 7, 2020 | Replies (277)

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@IndianaScott

You raise an interesting concern, @rosemarya

We had to confront the issue of my wife's ability to continue to drive early in her illness. Our biggest difficulty was that she insisted she was able to continue to drive safely even though impaired. She was certain her constraints were of no impact. At the same time, our daughter was insistent we, as a family, were at significant financial risk every time she took the wheel because we knew of her shortcomings and were letting her continue to drive. I certainly was cognizant of her limitation and voiced my concerns, but she wouldn't listen.

It wasn't until we insisted my wife take the electronic driving test at Mayo that it finally changed. She failed. Her doctor said to her 'MK, I know you want to keep driving, but your response times and acuity are just not good enough anymore. I know you'd hate yourself if you injured or killed someone, or if someone with your abilities, who insisted on still driving, hurt or killed Scott or one of your grandsons.'

Personally, with my vision, while I passed the vision test for my license just this year, I refuse to drive in the dark at all. I view it as not about me, but about keeping others safe. I apply this test to many things in my life as I am lucky enough to continue to age.

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Replies to "You raise an interesting concern, @rosemarya We had to confront the issue of my wife's ability..."

Scott, Volunteer Mentor @IndianaScott Living in an urban environment, I gave up driving years ago. But I certainly appreciate your full description of the problems you faced with the issue of safety with the aging. I particularly like your quote of what the doctor said to your wife as a way of dealing with those who insist, against better judgment. Could you give a little more information about the electronic driving test at Mayo? It sounds like a very handy tool for dealing with this issue!