When do you decide to let someone who has had a stroke drive again?

May 16, 2011

I recently heard about a device that dispenses meds to people automatically. It's run by a service who comes out on a weekly or whatever basis and fills little cups with the proper medications. They set the timer for different times a day and as far as I know it's locked except to them. You have to pay a monthly service fee, but it would be worth it. The asst. living place that we were thinking of putting my mother-in-law in told me about it.

Jack

May 17, 2011

It would depend upon their ability to react quickly along with other requirements of driving. Please discuss the issue with your loved one as properly taking meds. is a big part of being a responsible driver.

TheFixer

May 17, 2011

Depends on how the stroke affected him. In my Mother's case never, she has vascular dementia since the stroke and is not aware enough or strong enough to drive. Maybe you could ask his doctor's opinion.

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N1K2R3

May 17, 2011

A person who has had a stroke, whether it be Ischemic or Hemotologic, should never drive again. Take the keys away, and be available to drive him anywhere he wants to go, anytime..

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naricinfo

May 17, 2011

A driver rehabilitation specialist can give you and your family a professional assessment of someone's driving ability and capability. The American Occupational Therapy Association has a tool to find a specialist at http://www.aota.org/Older-Driver/Specialists.aspx.

Helpful Answer (3)

anonymous13319

May 17, 2011

This is a good time to take the keys away. It gives you a way to start the discussion. If it is for medical reasons it may be a little easier for him to take. The fact that he cannot keep his meds straight should be a good indicator of mental capacity.

PatriciaAS

May 17, 2011

naricinfo: Thanks for posting the link. I am at this point with my husband and really don't know what to do. I have looked at the site and will be reading it thoroughly. It is going to be a big help. My husband will be going to his doctor tomorrow and I hope we will get into a discussion on this as well.

195Austin

May 17, 2011

My neighbor had to take a road test and pass it before he was able to drive again especially since he left rehab sooner than he was suppose-but I observed him driving and he was not driving very well at that time,

vstefans

May 17, 2011

N1K2R3 - Oh no, please don't assume that NO ONE who has ever had a stroke can ever drive again - it depends on many things, such as overall level of health and cognition, and whether or not visual and visual preceptual skills are affected. Right brain/left hemiparesis is actually worse prognosis for driving than left brain/right hemiparesis, apparently n omatter whcih side of the road you drive on in your country because of this. I have a lot of young stroke and brain injury patients who can drive safely, and pretty much always have them get a specialized OT behind-the-wheel evaluation as NARICinfo above mentioned, so its not just for old people. A couple of my colleagues even have had small non-cortical hypertensive strokes and returned to practice without any apparent problem. I'm not saying there's no risk, on the contrary; the specialized eval is essential for both yoru liability and the general public's - just not to say "no one" or "never."

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fancicoffee52

May 17, 2011

Thank you. I am also glad to hear from others and their viewpoints! Where is that link that someone is talking about? There was a link, apparently, that would help someone on this subject. Thanks again.