You ever have to take an old person's keys?

[Care4all]

I am facing the same situation for my dad. He's going to be 94 and he still drives, lives with mom in their own home, drives to grocery store, doctors, going out to dinner, pick up prescriptions.....

He would just not want to live anymore, if he couldn't drive! And mom is still passenger co-pilot from the passenger seat, even at 91...."look out for this, look out for that, STOP"... those kinda things she's done her whole life....

He's never been what I would call a good, driver imo....though he's caused no car accidents or things like that....and never a speeding ticket or careless driving... just have never thought he was paying enough attention to the road, may stop hard kinda thing when I was a child....but that could be because MOM was always a passenger seat driver so it put in my head he was not a good driver? Hmmmm?

Anyway, my older sister and I have been discussing it and thinking about it for when the time comes....wondering if we recognize the time? Discussed it on this site like you, too.

Someone on this site PM'd me and said it was Dad's doctor, who had the responsibility of telling him that he recommends that he not drive anymore and his licence being taken away....

I never had time to look in to it and see if this depended on the State one lives in, or how any of that would work, but you should look in to it....

 

[1srelluc]

Can a Doctor Remove a Driver's License?​

In Virginia, a doctor cannot directly remove a driver's license. The authority to revoke a driver's license lies with state licensing agencies, such as the DMV. However, physicians play a role in this process by reporting medical concerns to the state agency. The agency then initiates a formal review of a person’s fitness to drive. Physicians must use professional judgment to determine if a patient’s condition poses a significant threat to public safety.

 

[Grumblenuts]

I took my mom's keys away after she got lost and banged into stuff multiple times. Your job if she's granted you POA. Just do it.

 

[Care4all]

i seen this today.......


Starting in July 2025, the viral article claims, the U.S. Department of Transportation will roll out new laws focused on drivers aged 70 and older requiring them to undergo eye exams, road tests and even cognitive screenings to keep their driver licenses. For those aged 70-80, the posts claims seniors will have to renew their license every four years; 81-86 will be every two years; and 87-plus will have to renew their license every year.
As a driver ages, more tests will be required, with people aged 87 and older required to undergo an annual eye exam and a mandatory road driving test. Sounds like a huge change, right? The problem is, it’s not true.
There is no national law – recently passed or otherwise – that mandates driver license regulations for senior citizens. States have autonomy to set their driver license requirements and some do mandate seniors to undergo an eye exam before renewing their licenses.

Sheesh .....at 70? Shoot! My older sister turned 70 last month and she is young as can be! After watching my parents driving their RV across America all through their 80s, I don't view people being old until their 90s!

 

[1srelluc]

Can a Doctor Remove a Driver's License?​

In Virginia, a doctor cannot directly remove a driver's license. The authority to revoke a driver's license lies with state licensing agencies, such as the DMV. However, physicians play a role in this process by reporting medical concerns to the state agency. The agency then initiates a formal review of a person’s fitness to drive. Physicians must use professional judgment to determine if a patient’s condition poses a significant threat to public safety.

Quoting my own post here but I do remember when my mom was diagnosed with dementia/heart condition (she passed within 15 days) we got a letter from DMV cancelling her license.

It was dated before her death so maybe certain things they report to DMV and they take it from there on their own hook.

Can't really speak to the particulars as there was no point in following up on it since she was already dead.

 

[JOSweetHeart]

One of these days, I may have to.

God bless you always!!!

Holly

 

[JustAnotherNut]

I've ridden with her. Her knees are stiff and she can barely move them. There is no gentle braking. There is no smooth acceleration. It's close to all or nothing. When she turns from one road to another, the last minute braking throws anything on the seat into the floorboard. If she sees a sign that attracts her attention, she doesn't glance and then look back at the road. She will continue to look for 5 or 6 seconds while drifting to that side of the road. I'm not doing this lightly. She will likely hurt herself or others. The DPS will evaluate older drivers capabilities upon receipt of an anonymous report of it being necessary. It might be best to let them tell her it's time. It would certainly be easier for me.

Then yes, have them be the one to make that decision

 

[JustAnotherNut]

You never met my grandmother. LoL.

Cousin??? Is that you?

 

[whitehall]

Car keys not house keys. A 96 year old might drive better than an intoxicated Hunter Biden.

 

[Chuz Life]

That's why Smith and Wesson brought out the Granny Smith .32, to give her an edge. Of course, it comes with a doily grip and crochet holster.

That 3rd user programmable button on her life alert scares me. It could either open the garage door or set off 100lbs of tannerite hidden somewhere. LoL.

 

[JustAnotherNut]

I've thought about it in the past, but just couldn't do it, but it's past time. She's 96 and still lives alone. Does her own house work, shops for groceries, drives herself to church and everything else. I did convince her to not drive after dark and stay off the interstate, It's not like she would be stranded. There is enough family to take her anywhere she wants to go when she wants to go. Driving represents her autonomy, and to take her car would break her heart. Not because he wants to drive, but because her son was the one to do it. Still---- can't get past the point that it is time. Has anybody here had to do that? Any suggestions to make it easier?

Now that she may be at that point......you'd better prepare yourself and her (and any siblings & other family) for the day when she needs more help by way of either a caregiver to help with personal care (showers & toileting), appointments, cleaning, meal prep, etc AND/OR the eventual possibility of 24 hour skilled nursing facility, unless you have an RN/LPN or DR in the family to do it.

That I have done,. It's much easier for both of you, if you talk about it before you have to face the situation. That way it won't be a shock to her. I had that conversation with my mother when I was her caregiver, no siblings to help......I'll take care of you as long as I can, but there may come a day when you'll need more help than I can give and I'll have no other choice than to move you to a facility. She didn't like it, but did understand and agreed. Less than a year later, the time had come and went much smoother than expected. Probably more fight from me, than her, but we both knew her time was short. I visited often and was with her when she passed 2 months later.

 

[Concerned American]

NOT TRUE!!!!!​

​

Fact Check: Hit the brakes on rumored new US Department of Transportation rules for drivers 70 and up​

Fact Check: Hit the brakes on rumored new US Department of Transportation rules for drivers 70 and up

A fictional rumor claimed a new federal guideline would implement new hurdles for senior drivers seeking to renew their licenses in the U.S.

www.yahoo.com

Snopes ran both stories through artificial-intelligence (AI) content detectors, which confirmed both were likely the products of AI software.....Likely started by some TDS ridden dem.

I read something in the DMV literature for WA that stated that folks over 70 would be subject to an in-person interview. My wife and I, over 70, just renewed and we didn't have to sit for an interview. Pretty much get our pics taken, pay our money and the license is in the mail.

 

[BULLDOG]

Now that she may be at that point......you'd better prepare yourself and her (and any siblings & other family) for the day when she needs more help by way of either a caregiver to help with personal care (showers & toileting), appointments, cleaning, meal prep, etc AND/OR the eventual possibility of 24 hour skilled nursing facility, unless you have an RN/LPN or DR in the family to do it.

That I have done,. It's much easier for both of you, if you talk about it before you have to face the situation. That way it won't be a shock to her. I had that conversation with my mother when I was her caregiver, no siblings to help......I'll take care of you as long as I can, but there may come a day when you'll need more help than I can give and I'll have no other choice than to move you to a facility. She didn't like it, but did understand and agreed. Less than a year later, the time had come and went much smoother than expected. Probably more fight from me, than her, but we both knew her time was short. I visited often and was with her when she passed 2 months later.

I've tried that a few times. I was promptly told that she is just fine, and she will tell me if that time ever comes. Till then, it's not really any of my business. She isn't making this easier for anyone involved. I'm just trying to get through all this the best way possible. She and her younger sister visit their home town occasionally, and all those old hairy legged biddies get together and gossip about what they say their kids are doing to them. It's a daunting situation.

 

[JustAnotherNut]

all those old hairy legged biddies get together and gossip about what they say their kids are doing to them. It's a daunting situation.

Well that's suspicious right there and makes me question the seriousness of the thread

 

[Grumblenuts]

 

[BULLDOG]

Well that's suspicious right there and makes me question the seriousness of the thread

Not sure what you mean by that or why, but if you doubt my sincerity in trying to work through this issue, you aren't obligated to participate.

 

[BULLDOG]

I took my mom's keys away after she got lost and banged into stuff multiple times. Your job if she's granted you POA. Just do it.

POA? Not even close. She values her independence, and won't even consider anything that she thinks might reduce that.

 

[BULLDOG]

I read something in the DMV literature for WA that stated that folks over 70 would be subject to an in-person interview. My wife and I, over 70, just renewed and we didn't have to sit for an interview. Pretty much get our pics taken, pay our money and the license is in the mail.

I'm over 70 as well. Big difference between 70+ and 96

 

[MarathonMike]

I've thought about it in the past, but just couldn't do it, but it's past time. She's 96 and still lives alone. Does her own house work, shops for groceries, drives herself to church and everything else. I did convince her to not drive after dark and stay off the interstate, It's not like she would be stranded. There is enough family to take her anywhere she wants to go when she wants to go. Driving represents her autonomy, and to take her car would break her heart. Not because he wants to drive, but because her son was the one to do it. Still---- can't get past the point that it is time. Has anybody here had to do that? Any suggestions to make it easier?

It shouldn't just be on you. Maybe have a family intervention. Tell her it's not just her at risk, she could kill someone else.

 

[BULLDOG]

It shouldn't just be on you. Maybe have a family intervention. Tell her it's not just her at risk, she could kill someone else.

It's on me and my brother. My three other siblings have passed. Lots of grandkids and great grandkids, but nobody else to deal with this subject.