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luciwrites Asked August 2014

How to get an early Alzheimer's person to stop driving without major conflicts?

They say not to argue. But his driving is dangerous and he refuses to believe it. Gets very angry at being told not to drive

Linda22 Aug 2014
We notified my dads neurologist about my dad's problems driving and the doc told him he could no longer drive due to the Alz. Dad was upset but accepted it better since it came from the doctor, and not a family member.

IloveMom Aug 2014
My aunt couldn't find her car, and ha d police drive over 3 hours looking for it. i gave directions to a friend where my aunt's last appointment was. aunt looked over, and said, there's my car!!! DMV scheduled an appointment with her ,,,,of course she forgot, and they pulled her license.

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IloveMom Aug 2014
take him to DMV. or make appointment with DMV, see if he can pass drivers test.

pamstegma Aug 2014
brandywine is right, they will get over it. They won't get over driving through a storefront and killing people. Pops will lose everything he owns when the jury sees he had Alzheimer's and nobody took the keys away.

pamstegma Aug 2014
Maggie, In Illinios, A VSD reexamination may be recommended by a family member, physical or emergency medical technician, or peace officer. So you write a letter to the head of VSD (DMV) explaining your concerns, and get siblings to sign it with you.

brandywine1949 Aug 2014
Please do it anyway, take the keys away, take the car away, but please do it. My precious grandchild is out there and my precious child. They are all I have. I was infertile and finally had the child. Please do something to get him off the road. So what if it is an argument. So what if there is a major conflict. You will be doing what is right. They will get over it.

MaggieMarshall Aug 2014
I didn't check, but assume he lives in Oregon. Pam's got the ticket. Report him and let the DMV be the bad guys. Once they pull his license, which I'm assuming they would, he won't be insured on the family car; it won't be her fault; and she can secure the keys.

I do think that not expecting major conflicts is wishful thinking, though. No one wants to give up their driver's license. And trying to reason with someone who has Alzheimer's Disease is pretty difficult...

Alzheimer's Disease is an awful and ruthless thief. To lose a spouse to its ravages must be devastating. No one should have to go through that. Not him. Not you. I am very sorry.

Chicago1954 Aug 2014
I see that this is her husband, so in theory he would be expecting her to ride with him. Also, I would think that she is financially responsible if he injures someone.

It really sounds to me that it is time to declare him incompetent and get him in full time care. My FIL had alz. and his big problem was that he wandered away. It was awful.

MaggieMarshall Aug 2014
What an awesome program. Illinois doesn't have that. Only doctor reports are accepted here. Makes it just that much more difficult.

pamstegma Aug 2014
Family members, friends, law enforcement, social service providers and others may voluntarily report an unsafe driver under Oregon DMV's Medically At-Risk Driver Program. The report may be based on a person's medical condition or observed driving behaviors.
In accordance with the Mandatory Reporting component of Oregon DMV's Medically At-Risk Driver Program, certain medical professionals are obligated to report individuals with severe & uncontrollable medical conditions that interfere with or diminish a person's ability to safely operate a motor vehicle.

MaggieMarshall Aug 2014
My answer depends on what relation you are to this person. There's the nuclear option by an adult child toward a parent or spouse toward spouse. And there's an answer if you're a concerned neighbor or friend and this person has family. More info?

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