My husband's Father was diagnosed in 2018 with dementia/bi-polar, and the doctor wanted him to follow up with a neurologist or psychiatrist. She put him or Risperdone (anti-psychotic drug) because of his psychotic outbursts and aggression. As well, he was acting like a child many times, reverting back to his childhood, cutting and pasting pictures and writing scratch notes (like a child) in booklets about WWII, and sending these to Senators and Governors, asking them to publish his book on WWII. His actions toward us and his wife is extremely aggressive. And yet, after trying and trying to get him to relinquish his driving, he would not. He lives with his wife in a senior center, and has free shuttle daily and a cafeteria, and yet he argued and refused to stop driving. We were so nervous about his deteriorating mental status, that we finally put locks on his tires. We thought we were doing the right thing. We then reported him to the DMV, and they said there was nothing they would do. He then called the police on us when we locked his tires, and the cop sided with him, despite the fact we told him we had medical records proving he should not be driving and told him of our concerns. The cop even removed the tire locks for them without telling us. I recently discovered that the state they live in does not care if an elderly person drives with dementia! Wow! We were worried about liability against them and us, but if the DMV and law enforcement will not ensure his safety or the safety of those around him, there is nothing more we can do, but let him continue to drive. All we can do is pray he does not cause a serious accident. And if he does, that falls on the shoulders of the State.
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Same with my state's DMV -- very low standards to renew a license.

"You, as the caregiver, have to take these people where they want to go, when they want to go if you take away their ability to get around. " I take issue with this statement in the article. NO, the caregiver does not have to take the elder wherever and whenever they want to go. It is perfectly fine to set some boundaries. Why should the elder make all the rules?

I will be dealing with this very shortly with my own mother. She is already angry about it, especially since she thinks that giving me her car gives her the right to make the rules. Nope!
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Our state DMV has no testing for reissuing drivers licenses. You simply pay the fee every four years and get a new one. Sadly, I'm afraid this is an area where we can't get help.
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Our local DMV is not helpful. On two occasions (with my friend's parents) they have reissued drivers licenses even though they know that person has limitations and dementia. It is all about the almighty dollar.
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Just browsing. My Wife who is in the early stage of Dementia. Did continue to drive until she totaled our car. Thank heavens no one was hurt.
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