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re: A family member with dementia and telling them they can't drive

Posted on 12/22/16 at 9:02 am to
Posted by TAJSJ
N.E. Alabama
Member since Dec 2009
36 posts
Posted on 12/22/16 at 9:02 am to
Been there. Mom had dementia before she passed. Believe me...taking away the car keys was one of the "easier" things we had to contend with, compared to what was to come. Luckily I have several siblings and we were all on the same page as to how to handle the situation(s). Everyone pitched in. I hope you have several other family members to help out. Almost impossible to manage something of this scope flying solo. Large family or not, help is out there. Find it. You will need it. Thicken your skin. Let hurtful words roll off your back. You will get through it.
Posted by uptownsage
New Orleans
Member since Oct 2014
2156 posts
Posted on 12/22/16 at 9:03 am to
Went through this with my father having Parkinson's and Dementia. Its heartbreaking because all you remember are the good times. All I can offer you is something that helped me through it. Its a quote from the original Superman movie. Its cheezy but so true.

Jor-El
quote:

The son becomes the father, and the father, the - The son.
Posted by zeebo
Hammond
Member since Jan 2008
5201 posts
Posted on 12/22/16 at 9:06 am to
I lived next door to my parents. 50 acres, not like a subdivision. Dad came over to me and asked who the woman was that was living in his house and how did she get to be in charge. I told him that was my Mom, his wife, and when he got to where he couldn't balance the check book, she took over. He said Ok. I knew not to ask her! Mom can be a little bossy. He said if he got confused again he would come find me. He didn't know who I was, he just knew I was friendly. Heart breaking but we were lucky. He stayed sweet and was able to die in his own bed at 88. He used to say he was ready to jump in the creek, but he didn't want to get in trouble with God.
Posted by LSUwag
Florida man
Member since Jan 2007
17319 posts
Posted on 12/22/16 at 9:09 am to
You're doing the right thing. It's brutally difficult as I speak from experience. Jut remember that you are repaying him with loving care like he gave you when you were a child.
Posted by Mindenfan
Minden
Member since Sep 2006
4788 posts
Posted on 12/22/16 at 9:12 am to
We let Mama keep her keys but disabled the car so it wouldn't start.
Posted by SouthEndzoneTiger
Louisiana
Member since Mar 2008
10605 posts
Posted on 12/22/16 at 9:23 am to
After Dad had his first brain surgery to remove the glioblastoma, the doctors said he couldn't drive anymore (potential seizures). It was tough. But he understood and was of sound mind and didn't want to hurt anyone. One day on my way back to his house, after we entered his subdivision, he asked if he could drive the rest of the way to the house (maybe 3 blocks). I pulled over and switched places with him. He never got over 10 MPH, but I could tell he felt pride. I don't think he noticed I was peeling onions like a little bitch. He passed away less than a year after that.
This post was edited on 12/22/16 at 9:25 am
Posted by Kafkas father
Member since Aug 2016
1124 posts
Posted on 12/22/16 at 9:30 am to
quote:

My dad has a long history of dementia on his side of the family and is terrified that will happen to him. We've talked about what we would do if he started to slip and he understands but who knows how he would react if that day comes. Best wishes man


This is how we have handled it as well. My father was devastated how his mother treated him and so we had several conversations about it hoping it would help.
Posted by Big_Al_316
Mobile, AL
Member since Jan 2005
3137 posts
Posted on 12/22/16 at 9:31 am to
You have to do what you have to do. I've told my king daughter that when it's my time, just do it.
Posted by Kafkas father
Member since Aug 2016
1124 posts
Posted on 12/22/16 at 9:32 am to
quote:

king daughter


What's that?
Posted by BRgetthenet
Member since Oct 2011
117732 posts
Posted on 12/22/16 at 9:33 am to
quote:

Kafkas father



Where is the apostrophe?

Kafka's real dad wouldn't have made that mistake.
Posted by p0845330
Member since Aug 2013
5704 posts
Posted on 12/22/16 at 9:34 am to
I had to do this with my mother a year ago. She stayed angry for a long time. The worst part is when they keep asking about their keys and/or vehicle, and it's all new to them every couple of days. Now the overt anger is gone, but replaced by regular guilt trips about how she wishes she could get out and see people, or drive to the store and etc. It's tough, but was the right choice. It was a dangerous situation. Not only driving dangerously, but getting lost in the town she's lived in for 50 years.
Posted by Kafkas father
Member since Aug 2016
1124 posts
Posted on 12/22/16 at 10:10 am to
quote:

Where is the apostrophe?

Kafka's real dad wouldn't have made that mistake.



Good point.
Posted by ChenierauTigre
Dreamland
Member since Dec 2007
34535 posts
Posted on 12/22/16 at 10:29 am to
We are in the end stage of dementia with my husband's mother. I have to go somewhere right now, but when I get back I will try to respond.
Posted by rd280z
Richmond
Member since Jan 2007
2313 posts
Posted on 12/22/16 at 10:39 am to
I had to do that with my mother and she was always so independent and liked to drive. Very difficult
Posted by Ashwednesday666
Gulf Coast to New Orleans
Member since Dec 2016
152 posts
Posted on 12/22/16 at 10:51 am to
Went through it with my grandmother, as time went on she didn't know who we were.
Posted by Chad504boy
4 posts
Member since Feb 2005
166500 posts
Posted on 12/22/16 at 10:56 am to
move his car from the premise entirely.
Posted by PsychTiger
Member since Jul 2004
99349 posts
Posted on 12/22/16 at 11:01 am to
When I make a recommendation to not drive for an elderly patient with dementia, I include an option for those that disagree to undergo an on-the-ride driving test through the DMV, who does special assessments of these types of cases in most places. Let the DMV be the bad guy.

Louisiana Driving Laws for Seniors and Older Drivers

What to do if you think a Senior Should Not be Driving
This post was edited on 12/22/16 at 11:08 am
Posted by Napoleon
Kenna
Member since Dec 2007
69205 posts
Posted on 12/22/16 at 11:04 am to
It got so bad with my grandparents we had to change the locks on the doors to be able to lock them in at night with us. My grandma liked to go to other people's houses at 3am looking for her mom and sisters (who were long gone).

Other things got really bad as it went on. The worst episode was waking up to walls smeared in feces because "I got mud on my pants and couldn't get it off"
So many hard times dealing with my grandparents when they lost it. Sadly it only gets worse and worse.

Posted by TigerSTPelurker
Irish Channel
Member since Oct 2013
342 posts
Posted on 12/22/16 at 11:06 am to
Thank God my Dad started asking to be driven places around 80. He realized he shouldn't be driving. He has Parkinbsons with Dementia. Saved us from having this conversation. But don't take it personally, they are not the same person or rational.
This post was edited on 12/22/16 at 11:07 am
Posted by DrunkerThanThou
Unfortunately Mississippi
Member since Feb 2013
2846 posts
Posted on 12/22/16 at 11:07 am to
It's a tough situation. Tried to visit my paw paw and he fussed at me, thinking I was Munoz dad, for taking all his guns away.
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