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Replies to "We had same problem with my mother in law who refused to stop driving. We sent..."
Caregivers: Dementia | Last Active: Sep 9 6:33pm | Replies (131)
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We had same problem with my mother in law who refused to stop driving. We sent a letter to DMV informing them of our concern and they in turn sent her a drivers test letter. She hadn’t read a drivers manuals since 1935 and wasn’t going to start. She thought she was only doing the driving part and not an actual computer test. She failed after being given 3 chances and even after losing her license at 89 she was still driving. We sold the car instead. We couldn’t live with her killing someone else let alone possibly herself.
Replies to "We had same problem with my mother in law who refused to stop driving. We sent..."
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In 1935 she probably didn't need to read a manual! My uncles who were older than my Dad said all they had to do was show the examiner that they knew how to shift into 1st, 2nd, 3rd and reverse without stalling and that the headlights worked.
We had this very difficult discussion with two family members this weekend (husband and wife) and I know we are going to have to intervene with their physician and or the DMV as each believe the other is impaired, but not them. Their children and grandchildren have taken a hands off approach...
When my Mom lost her license, we disabled her car until we could sell it because she was sure evaluator and I were "mean" and she was competent.
I pray that when I reach that point, I will have the wisdom my grandfather had, and will realize I should not endanger myself and others - he voluntarily sold his car when his reflexes became too slow. My Mom, Dad, brother and I were happy to act as chauffeurs for him and my Grandma for the last several years of their lives. Besides, he always put gas in my car for me!
Sue
Sue