Thursday, July 28, 2011

Caring for an Aging Parent: Part 2

In our previous post we began a discussion about the challenges and best practices associated with caring for an aging parent. 

In addition to the information shared with respect to dealing with an aging parent's reluctance to stop driving due to loss of functional ability, you may also contact the Department of Motor Vehicles yourself and request that your parent's license be revoked until testing is done. In New Hampshire, drivers who are 75 years of age or older at the time their current driver license expires are generally required to renew their license in person at a local DMV office and will often be asked to take a road test as well as written examination. It should be noted that we have heard that this requirement may be discontinued. Nonetheless, some seniors successfully pass such hurdles and still may pose a danger on the road.

In such a case, the only legal option to remove a senior's ability to drive is to obtain a guardianship. This requires court involvement, and if contested, can be costly, and in some cases, the result is not favorable. Please feel free to contact our office if you need assistance relating to this issue.

The following is a safe driving list. The answers to these questions can help you determine whether a conversation about this issue with your parent needs to take place.
Safe Driving Check List:
  1. Vision: Can your parent pass a vision test?
  2. Hearing: Does your parent leave the turn signal on because they can�t hear it? Being able to hear (turn signals, other vehicles) is critical to safe driving.
  3. Have you noticed any unexplained dents in the garage or on the car?
  4. Does your parent allow other people in the car if he/she is driving?
  5. Does your parent seem unusually nervous when driving?
  6. Is your parent driving too slow or too fast?
  7. Has your parent forgotten to turn on/off car lights?
  8. Has anyone else, such as neighbors observed anything unsafe with your parent's driving?
  9. Please remember that medications can sometimes have a negative impact on driving at any age.

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