No more Driving

Posted by johnna16 @johnna16, Jun 3, 2023

My husband’s neurologist recommended to him not to drive. I also am trying to schedule him for drivers evaluation. He doesn’t want to do this but once I have appointment I’ll get him to go. I’m hoping he decides to stop driving before the evaluation. I let him know he’s a danger to himself and others etc etc. Does anyone have any suggestions how I can convince him. Fortunately he only drives to the gym 5 minutes away but anything can happen.
Please do not lecture me about he shouldn’t be driving as I already know this. I am asking for any ideas of what can I tell him and yes I can take away the keys but I would like not to have to do it that way.
Also I haven’t been in car with him for months. He was driving fine about 3 months ago. However it’s best for him to stop. He will be 80 this August. His diagnosis is MCI but I think he is in a dementia stage. Thank you!

Interested in more discussions like this? Go to the Caregivers: Dementia Support Group.

@janet7

I am going to make an appointment with a driving rehabilitation program our neurologist set us up with. It is an hour of evaluation and two hours of behind the wheel in one of their cars. Then we will be able to get a final decision as to whether my husband can drive or not.
He has been quiet and not talking about the test but when I drive, he is constantly finding fault with my driving. Today he finally said he doesn’t want his license taken away and never be able to drive again. I told him he could have a bad accident and we could be sued and lose our home. He understands this but not enough to stop driving. I’m thinking of having him talk to a counselor to help him get through this difficult time.
Please pray for us.

Jump to this post

My husband cries because I will not ride with him. He got his license back with no restrictions. I tell him he concentrates better when he is alone.
My husband will not talk to a counselor. I have asked him.
I will pray for you and your family.

REPLY

I assume your husband drives erratically and is a danger to himself and others. I have gone to our neurologist for help and he tells my husband very firmly not to drive. It does seem to calm my husband down for awhile but then he gets anxious about the upcoming driving test and not being able to drive. He too has his driver’s license renewed and that is why he needs to take the driving rehabilitation program which is very thorough and the doctor said their decision about driving will be final. Have you thought about asking your doctor about this test?

REPLY

Another little tip: Previously my wife's neurologist had given her a "no-more driving" recommendation. Periodically thereafter, she's been saying she's safe and capable (no way that's true... had three fender benders in 2022... luckily no injuries to anyone), and wants to get back behind the wheel.

At last week's appointment with my her GP, I mentioned it to him, and he too explained to her why he agreed with the neuro's suggestion. He took his time, was kind, soft-spoken, and gave her examples of how much brain power it takes to drive safely, and handle anything that may happen on the road on a moment's notice... and the potential consequences to her and others if a driver isn't quick enough, alert enough, or strong enough to do the right thing quickly and in a controlled fashion.

Sometimes hearing the same advice from more than one creditable source is helpful.

/LarryG

REPLY
@bobbisedlmayr

What is a rehab driving instructor? Where do you look for one of those? I felt dmv was too lenient. I do think he needs an assessment of where he is at.

Jump to this post

Ask your doctor to send an order to a driving rehabilitation program to perform tests to evaluate his driving skills, a program that is affordable and close by. The program is the final decision as to whether he should drive or not.

REPLY
@janet7

I assume your husband drives erratically and is a danger to himself and others. I have gone to our neurologist for help and he tells my husband very firmly not to drive. It does seem to calm my husband down for awhile but then he gets anxious about the upcoming driving test and not being able to drive. He too has his driver’s license renewed and that is why he needs to take the driving rehabilitation program which is very thorough and the doctor said their decision about driving will be final. Have you thought about asking your doctor about this test?

Jump to this post

He dies have an appt with courage kenny driving program on nov 8. His neurologist said he had to be retested every 6 mos.

REPLY

First, I just chose to not ride with him driving anymore so eventually it began to be routine that I drive.

I keep telling my husband that if there is an accident (especially if someone is injured), no matter who is at fault, if it comes to light that he was driving with an Alzheimer’s diagnosis, it won’t end well for us. We can’t afford this risk. I also said it during a neurologist visit, and the neurologist backed me up.

You could ask your insurance company if they will insure someone who has this diagnosis.

Luckily my husband is still rational so it makes sense to him to not take the risk. Now that I have been doing all the driving, he seems unsure/uncomfortable with the idea of driving himself anymore. We just sort of eased into it.

REPLY

So interesting to hear your experience. I had not thought of saying that about insurance.
Thank you

REPLY
@janet7

I assume your husband drives erratically and is a danger to himself and others. I have gone to our neurologist for help and he tells my husband very firmly not to drive. It does seem to calm my husband down for awhile but then he gets anxious about the upcoming driving test and not being able to drive. He too has his driver’s license renewed and that is why he needs to take the driving rehabilitation program which is very thorough and the doctor said their decision about driving will be final. Have you thought about asking your doctor about this test?

Jump to this post

My husband took this test after 3 at fault accidents (thankfully no one was hurt) and our sons riding with him telling me he is a dangerous driving. The test showed he was unable to drive. I sold his truck so we only have 1 vehicle. He hates me but I have told him I will leave him if he tries to drive. He is a danger to himself and others and our insurance will cancel us if he has another accident. I have told him I will no longer discuss it when he brings it up. Much like a child sometimes I have to be the bad cop to keep him safe.

REPLY
@purpleturtle

My husband took this test after 3 at fault accidents (thankfully no one was hurt) and our sons riding with him telling me he is a dangerous driving. The test showed he was unable to drive. I sold his truck so we only have 1 vehicle. He hates me but I have told him I will leave him if he tries to drive. He is a danger to himself and others and our insurance will cancel us if he has another accident. I have told him I will no longer discuss it when he brings it up. Much like a child sometimes I have to be the bad cop to keep him safe.

Jump to this post

I totally get it. I had to schedule this test my Mom, and having the driving instructor, the doctor and the insurance agent say "No more driving." It finally took selling her car to get the point across, and she called me mean for the rest of her life - but after 2 strokes, her brain couldn't process anything that was to her left - like oncoming traffic at an intersection.

Every time she said "Why can't you be nicer, like your sister?" I said, "Why can't you be more reasonable, like your Dad? When he almost had an accident, he gave you his keys and said sell my car"? She would stick her tongue out at me like a little kid, and forget about it for a few days...
Ah, life. Was just talking to my close friend - my cousin, also her lifelong friend, is having memory issues and we're 1000 miles away. We're trying to decide how soon we need to call on her 4 kids (all near her) to get busy assessing what they need to do to help her.
Sue

REPLY
@janet7

Ask your doctor to send an order to a driving rehabilitation program to perform tests to evaluate his driving skills, a program that is affordable and close by. The program is the final decision as to whether he should drive or not.

Jump to this post

My husband is scheduled for next week for his evaluation. I feel like this is real progress in this battle. He is not happy about it but he is not fighting it either. I will still drive with him short distances but my children will not especially with the grandchild. We had a family intervention about driving prior to our family vacation. He was resistant then but my daughter said it was still good we did it and she is correct I believe. Moved the needle a bit further in the process. After the evaluation I’ll post the results. Hang in there comrades!!! 😘

Oh and yes his neurologist provided a prescription/order for the driving evaluation and she got in his face about it 🤣 and she said “Its the law with a MCI diagnosis” and she brought it up on her computer screen and printed it out and provided a list of certified Driving rehab specialists.

REPLY
Please sign in or register to post a reply.