older drivers - what do you think?
Sep 7th 2016 | 12:33 pm
#31
BE Forum Addict
Joined: Feb 2013
Posts: 3,876
From: BC, Canada
Re: older drivers - what do you think?
The difference was that he did not recognise or understand that he had made mistakes on the cognitive test. He was furious because he thought he had done well.
His wife had to hide all car keys for either of their cars until he finally forgot about it
She on the other hand passed the medical and a driving test that they had to do 10 years ago with flying colours! She claimed that she knew that she would
Sep 7th 2016 | 12:47 pm
#32
BE Enthusiast
Joined: Jan 2011
Posts: 516
Re: older drivers - what do you think?
Is there such an option in Canada?
Sep 7th 2016 | 2:36 pm
#35
I need a walk
Joined: Feb 2014
Posts: 4,899
From: Okanagan
Re: older drivers - what do you think?
OH is now 78, in 2 years time he will have to take the mandatory medical test for all 80 year olds in BC .............. we've had several friends who have had to do this over the last 10 years or so.
An 80 year old may be required to take a cognitive test on a computer, if there are worries that they may be having problems ........
The problem here of course is that a lot of seniors are NOT computer savvy!
What happens here is that a couple of months before turning 80 the driver gets a notice to take a medical examination. The person has 45 days in which to have the exam, and then has to take a medical exam every two years after that. Licence is cancelled if deadline is missed.
An on-going or reported medical condition (by doctor or other person) that might affect the ability to drive results in a request to take a medical exam at other times. Road SafetyBC determines all this.
Our oldest friend was absolutely furious about having to go for the medical test when she turned 80 ........... a very independent single lady who does tend to object to government dictats.
Well, she turns 90 in November, still drives, and is absolutely compos mentis. She would be lost if she couldn't drive as she lives in a BC town that does not have good bus service out of the immediate downtown area.
Another friend thought he had done wonderfully well on the cognitive test (he was very computer savvy) and was furious when he failed it. We all knew he was in the early stages of dementia, and he was receiving treatment for it, but he hadn't accepted the fact. It was of course why he had to do this test.
Returning to my own case ......... I don't drive, I've always been a passenger. I can see that OH is more cautious now, but I still feel safe with him. We have not driven outside the city other than down to the ferry terminal for a couple of years .......... long car trips are not on my horizon for holidays, and I am responsible for planning those. Long train trips are much more appealing
Taxis will become the mode of transport if transit fails us. It's great that Vancouver has a good bus service, but not when scheduling means that it takes 3 buses and an hour to do what can be done in a car or taxi in 20 minutes!
An 80 year old may be required to take a cognitive test on a computer, if there are worries that they may be having problems ........
The problem here of course is that a lot of seniors are NOT computer savvy!
What happens here is that a couple of months before turning 80 the driver gets a notice to take a medical examination. The person has 45 days in which to have the exam, and then has to take a medical exam every two years after that. Licence is cancelled if deadline is missed.
An on-going or reported medical condition (by doctor or other person) that might affect the ability to drive results in a request to take a medical exam at other times. Road SafetyBC determines all this.
Our oldest friend was absolutely furious about having to go for the medical test when she turned 80 ........... a very independent single lady who does tend to object to government dictats.
Well, she turns 90 in November, still drives, and is absolutely compos mentis. She would be lost if she couldn't drive as she lives in a BC town that does not have good bus service out of the immediate downtown area.
Another friend thought he had done wonderfully well on the cognitive test (he was very computer savvy) and was furious when he failed it. We all knew he was in the early stages of dementia, and he was receiving treatment for it, but he hadn't accepted the fact. It was of course why he had to do this test.
Returning to my own case ......... I don't drive, I've always been a passenger. I can see that OH is more cautious now, but I still feel safe with him. We have not driven outside the city other than down to the ferry terminal for a couple of years .......... long car trips are not on my horizon for holidays, and I am responsible for planning those. Long train trips are much more appealing
Taxis will become the mode of transport if transit fails us. It's great that Vancouver has a good bus service, but not when scheduling means that it takes 3 buses and an hour to do what can be done in a car or taxi in 20 minutes!
If your friend is indeed compis mentis, and has adequate mobility, (it isn't just about mental ability, it is also about being physically able to deal with everything involved in driving a vehicle then she nothing to worry about.
If she isn't, it sadly doesn't matter a jot about local transport, it doesn't matter if she just goes down the road to the supermarket, a danger on the roads is one who drives one mile or 200 miles.
I like your attitude re Mr Scilly, you clearly recognise that at some stage he may need to call it a day and look at alternatives, sadly others are not so rational and
We often have big fall outs with people that we assess because of having to clip patient's driving wings.
Last edited by Stinkypup; Sep 7th 2016 at 2:39 pm.
Sep 7th 2016 | 3:33 pm
#36
I need a walk
Joined: Feb 2014
Posts: 4,899
From: Okanagan
Re: older drivers - what do you think?
Looks like you don't have to be old to drive badly - just a local yokel
Footage shows car using path to undertake cyclists - BBC News
Footage shows car using path to undertake cyclists - BBC News
