In my experience most elderly people, when faced with not being able to drive anymore, are very adamant about being able to still drive. Getting the keys away from an elderly person is usually a process and I would imagine that, for them, it must be like the grief process which progresses in stages. When I first presented my dad my concerns about him driving he demonstrated denial. He was shocked that I would think such a thing and he was perfectly fine to drive, he'd been driving since he was 14 and he was FINE!
Then I brought it up to him again. And again a little later. I had to chip away at it a little at a time. I suppose there are elderly folks who readily agree that they're not as capable of driving as they once were and give up their keys willingly but I think they're in the minority.
Eventually my dad and I were at an impasse and we agreed to let his Dr. make the decision since my dad had an appointment coming up. We explained to the Dr. our problem and asked the Dr.s opinion. As I suspected the Dr. agreed that it would be a good idea for my dad to hang up his keys for good.
While your dad's in rehab bring in reinforcements to help you convince him. The Dr. The physical therapist. Other family members. Not snatching my dad's keys away was more respectful to him than just issuing an order that he stop driving. It must be a very difficult thing to face and it must represent all that our elderly parents have lost and are losing in their old age. I think it should be done with sensitivity and compassion. And then if you find that your dad is driving off to places unknown, then you can snatch the keys for the safety of everyone.
Clarify this with the MD. Usually the discharge instructions say no driving until at least the next office visit. We removed the car while mom was still in the hospital. Boy, was she MAD! She was never cleared to drive, so it never came back. Six months later she agreed to sell it, still mad. Too bad.
We told my father that the Dr said he can no longer drive.. he is still convinced he can and is mad at the Dr! At this point he does not know most of our names or his address... so I'd rather he be mad than driving. We hide the keys!
Then I brought it up to him again. And again a little later. I had to chip away at it a little at a time. I suppose there are elderly folks who readily agree that they're not as capable of driving as they once were and give up their keys willingly but I think they're in the minority.
Eventually my dad and I were at an impasse and we agreed to let his Dr. make the decision since my dad had an appointment coming up. We explained to the Dr. our problem and asked the Dr.s opinion. As I suspected the Dr. agreed that it would be a good idea for my dad to hang up his keys for good.
While your dad's in rehab bring in reinforcements to help you convince him. The Dr. The physical therapist. Other family members. Not snatching my dad's keys away was more respectful to him than just issuing an order that he stop driving. It must be a very difficult thing to face and it must represent all that our elderly parents have lost and are losing in their old age. I think it should be done with sensitivity and compassion. And then if you find that your dad is driving off to places unknown, then you can snatch the keys for the safety of everyone.