Here’s what I did for my 85 year old parent (now deceased) in VA.

Anonymously filed a Medical Review Form via the DMV. It’s set up so that the “reporter” remains anonymous.

I submitted the completed form (via fax!) outlining or listing parent’s current diagnoses and medicines then certified the above was true and correct, listed parent’s primary physician (in this case, a cardiologist). Got a call a week later for a phone interview, also confidential with a DMV specialist.

Then, parent was mailed a stack of forms to take to cardiologist to perform a medical review and under a strict timeline of something like 30 days. I understood that as soon as the documents were mailed, the person’s drivers license would be listed as “temporarily suspended/under review.” If no action is taken by deadline, DL is suspended.

Of course, the physician can indicate that there are zero medical issues that would impair driving but I understand this is quite rare. Most elderly recipients don’t bother getting a review (oh - and I think a roadside test!).

My parent died in the midst of all of this and by the time the letter arrived, was bedridden.

I listed: fainting spells due to a heart condition
Fall risk/balance issues
Diagnosed cognitive impairment
Untreated major depression with hallucinations

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I don’t understand old people who won’t give up their keys. With rideshare apps it’s not like they are losing their independence.

I am a passenger princess who hates driving (my DH drives whenever we’re both in the car). Once no longer have the regular demands of driving kids around in a minivan, I would gladly stop paying for a car, gas, insurance, taxes, maintenance, etc. and just hire someone to drive me around to the store or wherever I need to go.

And I know SO many older people who keep driving despite things like chronic back pain causing leg weakness, Parkinson’s, cognitive issues, etc. but it’s a nightmare to take their keys away. We need to do a better job of treating driving like a privilege and start doing more frequent testing once someone hits age 65 (it seems like late 60s to early 70s is where a lot of older people go from still being young-ish to old).

My mother has an iphone and is facile on the computer but has trouble with apps. She is constantly stumped by the uber app. It's easy for us but not for people in their 90's.

You don’t find it alarming that someone who can’t figure out a basic car ordering app can drive a 4,000 machine at high speeds capable of killing someone?

I didn't say she was driving, just that rideshare apps are not the easy solution for everyone.

I think car services are problematic for the elderly if they don't live in an urban area. We live in NYC and use them all the time. My parents live in flyover land and don't want to be brought home to a somewhat secluded house by a stranger. And I get that.