Posted on 09/06/2025 5:16:14 AM PDT by DoodleBob
Mom could never get the hang of smart phones. We tried so many times. Her brain was getting confused with vascular dementia. She knew she was confused, and it frustrated her, but she knew she couldn’t do much about it. She had family around every day (family business was next door) so there was always someone to reach out to for help. She had it about as good as you could want it. Family nearby, old friends who would still visit, reliable caregivers when family needed a break. Mama was the best, but I’m so glad she gave up her keys willingly.
I use google maps and find everywhere I need to go.
Like most people do anymore when they go to an unfamiliar address.
We use Uber for my MIL, but it’s not free, nor is it inexpensive. However, it beats the cost of an accident waiting to happen by leaps and bounds. She also has 3 amazing caregivers who, on their day with her, take her anywhere she wants to go. We pay the caregivers out of pocket now, too. The ones the insurance company paid for became very unreliable, which is a shame.
When the time comes to give up the car keys, I won’t object.
I thought conservatives were in favor of reduced government and increased family ties.
I asked an AI “At what age should the elderly stop driving”
The reply was excellent.
1) The number was 75. It was surrounded with “there is much evidence showing 75 yr olds are safer drivers than those teens and 20s. There is much evidence reflexes and judgement of the elderly are ample for driving.
2) The rationale was ability to heal from a wreck. That fades with age. It is more dangerous for the old.
A peripheral item was noted about elderly get hurt and can’t recover just as much as a car passenger vs driver. That was not the AI’s point. It said that no keys meant fewer trips. Food got delivered rather than a trip to the grocery store.
Regardless, it’s a factor the discussion nearly never addresses. We prefer a car because of the convenience at older age. We are at greater danger as a result. The old can’t recover.
I hated driving in downtown Dallas (or any part of Dallas) when I lived there, and that was in the mid-1980’s. I can only imagine how bad it is now. No thanks.
The oldest Top Fuel driver was Chris Karamesines, who set a record at the age of 86 by qualifying at the 2018 Brainerd International Raceway event, as reported by Fox News. He was a pioneer in NHRA history and raced in the Top Fuel category for an unmatched span, also becoming the fastest driver over 78 years old in 2009.
Can’t judge a book by iy’s cover
The oldest Top Fuel driver was Chris Karamesines, who set a record at the age of 86 by qualifying at the 2018 Brainerd International Raceway event, as reported by Fox News. He was a pioneer in NHRA history and raced in the Top Fuel category for an unmatched span, also becoming the fastest driver over 78 years old in 2009.
Can’t judge a book by it’s cover
More likely that the elder will simply die while waiting in line.
You animal!
I’m 81 and me and mine are always on the road. Baseball in Cincinnati, a fine Chinese restaurant in Gallipolis, visit family in Columbus.
We’re always on the road, with the exception of weekends. TOO MANY DOPERS!!
Ain’t no way in hell would I give up my pickup truck. :)
I should not be driving. After I was displaced from the Almeda fire, I was forced to drive, live out of my car. I had given up driving and was prepared for it but the fire changed everything. At 77, the on going TBI deficits has made it impossible. But I have no choice if I want to stay alive.
I was so sick and afraid when I bought this place but there was nothing else! Thousands of elderly people were suddenly homeless. I have to drive 20 miles to get a photo copy or food. Nothing is delivered here and there’s no Uber. I had to have a tooth pulled and it cost me $25 for a ride to the dentist and that took me a week to find.
So do I sit here and die without food and medical care or do I endanger others by driving?
I just want to go home!I haven’t seen a familiar face in 5 years.... I can’t believe it has been 5years of this.
I’m so confused and afraid. I will take any suggestions.
Washington has a DMV? /s
70 is too young. Mandatory vision and driving test at 75 and every 2 years after is probably the better way to go.
My parents both quit driving voluntarily around 75.
A friend’s father was the opposite, demented and cantankerous as hell. They had to disable his old truck because he hotwired it after losing his keys. Took his guns cause he started brandishing them. He started riding his ATV around even though it wasn’t street legal. It was a relief when his heart popped off.
Some people age gracefully and others not so much.
Just had a recent tragedy in our community. A retired state forest service officer and marine was getting up in age. (Not sure of his medical issues). His children were attempting to convince him into senior living facility. He walked outside and killed himself. Just awful.
Pop kept hitting people. and they didn’t push it because they felt sorry for him. So a relative set up his cop friend to pull Pop over and say anything so long as it was convincing. Yes, it worked.
Yes it would be horribly oppressive. Try taking the illegals who never learn to drive off the road first. They are a more tremendous hazard.
My m-i-l’s caretakers and kids had to hide hers.
No choice. By the grace of God an accident she got into didn’t hurt anyone, but someone could very easily been killed. And physically, she was in NO shape to be driving especially with dementia.
I’m starting to get worried...I have all of those problems!
The practical reason for an old person giving up their car is often the outrageous expense of car insurance as one gets older. That finally convinced my 93 year old mother to give up her car in favor of her children providing rides as needed.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.