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My husband was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s. His driving days are over. His driver’s license expires in a few months and we won’t be renewing it. I realize there is no harm in getting a state ID card, but is there a need for him to have a current form of ID? In getting legal paperwork in order, he has had to show his ID several times lately. He is still living at home.

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We just received information about this at our most recent senior citizens’ meeting. Call your county office and ask them if there are situations in which he might need something like the card you described.

In my state the ID does function like a non-driving driver’s license.
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I would get the ID if I were you and get it before the DL expires. You just never know what can happen that would make you look back and realize you should have gotten it while it was relatively easy. check online. You may be able to get it without taking him in as long as his current ID hasn’t expired. It could in future delay or deny some benefit that he might need or otherwise qualify for.
Having said that, I have not had a problem since my DH aunt had her ID expire. She is almost 96. Your husband is relatively young if something happened to you, it might make life easier for the next caregiver/advocate.
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Yes he needs a current ID.
Bring him in when the license is about to expire and just get an ID.
And this might also be needed if you ever have to travel with him.

Most DMV where you get the ID will have reduced fees for Seniors as well
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There may in future, in your own state, be some need for this in voting? If your husband still is interested and wishes to vote. There will certainly be for air travel if you intend to do that, and may be to match say "covid vaccination proof " to an ID. Many entities do accept an expired license for a long time, but you cannot count on that. My brother turned in his license and the same day got his ID card done. I took him to do this. What's the worst? It can be an entertaining to people watch while you wait. Once I got all the POA things settled out with each entity and each bank and so on my brother was never asked for ID again in the latter three years of his life. I wouldn't have wanted to leave that up to chance, however. I am glad he had it.
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Yes. Patty, you answered your own question, it’s already happened.
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It's a good idea for him to have a current, vaild ID. If he has to be hospitalized he will need a valid ID.
Do not renew his license, but get him a current ID through your state's motor vehicle department.
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I was able to renew mom's ID online thru the California dmv. Never thought she would need it but in fact she needed it to get her covid vaccine at a pharmacy and again at a clinic. Also was needed to get her disabled parking placard issued (so I could park when driving her to dr appts). I would definitely get the ID. You just never know when you will need it.
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You may not be able to take a license and convert it to an ID on-line. I had to take Mom to the DMV (before COVID) to change hers over. She had to do it in person because she had to sign in front of a clerk. I had to stand there with her and spell out her name for her. In my state your ID# is the same as her license #s.

During COVID my nephew let his ID expire. When he tried to make an appt (IDs had to be done at the office) it kept saying his info could not be found. Offices just opened up so we stopped in and found because it expired was why no info was in the system.
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Cover999 Jun 2022
Interesting, Mine expired but it was still in the system with the label Expired. I will be getting a new one next month, possibly 6 years to the day I got the current one.:}
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Yes he definitely needs an ID and you should go ahead and get the REAL ID even though it is not required until next year. The deadline kept getting changed due to COVID. If you don't have a Real ID, consider taking care of this for you at the same time. Later, it may be harder for you as his caregiver to schedule for yourself since you would either have to find a sitter or bring him along. You don't have to wait for yours to expire to get the Real ID.

https://www.dhs.gov/real-id

https://www.dhs.gov/real-id/real-id-faqs

Even if you don't travel, you will need it to enter a Federal Building... think Social Security, etc.
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You will need his ID if he ever has to sign a legal document. (POA, medical care, update will).
You need a legal ID to get medical care.
You will need a legal ID if he is ever admitted to a medical or residential facility.
You may need a legal ID if you stay in a hotel or motel.
He can't board a flight without a current legal ID.
When you go to renew his license get the Real ID instead. Make him a laminated photocopy to carry in his wallet along with a few dollars. Keep the real one somewhere safe or with you.
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I would say yes, if my husband lives long enough to have it renewed, I am only getting an ID card. My two granddaughters only have ID’s and there are times a person needs it and the person does not drive, dr appointments, etc.
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Good Morning,

I believe the government recently came out with a Real ID. These covers both license and legal identification. At least this is what they do in my State.

The Real ID is an identification card that one can also use dual purpose as a license.

You can check out your local DMV or Senior Center and see how they work it in your State. Everyone needs an ID these days especially with all the doctor's appointments. They always ask for ID and insurance card.

Hope this helps.
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I just turned in my 96 yo mom’s driving license and got her a real ID instead. She seldom has to show it now, but it does happen and I might have to take her on a plane someday. I let her passport expire because I don’t expect any international travel, but domestic flights are a possibility.
I took her into the DMV, expecting a wait, but when I got there I found out our state has gone to an appointment system and walk-in service is almost impossible. When I told the clerk it was for my 96 yo mom, however, she took us right through. Great age occasionally has its privileges.
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Yes. “He has had to show it several times…….”
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Yes, we have run into this problem several times in the last couple of years with my mom whose drivers license expired. It’s a pain not having current ID and a pain to get it back once it’s been expired a while, if I had it to do over I would have transitioned her DL into a state ID card before the license expired.
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If he has a valid passport that may serve his needs for an ID.
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My wife has not had current Id for almost 20 years once she stopped driving. Even her passport expired. As long as she has her Medicare and ins card it is all good so far.
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Get the Real ID to replace the driver's license. ID is needed for many situations, including health appointments and the hospital. In case he has to fly; maybe to relocate.
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Please, please pls, If at all possible, get a REAL ID for him. All the states now do an “indefinite” status REAL ID for those who do not get a drivers license.

As of May 3, 2023 a REAL ID (state ID has the gold star) will be required for admittance into a federal building or building under federal ,jurisdiction. So if y’all should need to go to SSA office and the office is in a federal building, you cannot get in without Real ID after 5/3/23. Now a lot of the federal buildings are right now redoing their entrances to allow for a public access area and then a separate entryway to other offices only via a real ID cleared entry; but if the SSA office in your area is in an upper floor of a federal building to get to it you will have to, have to, have a Real ID after 5/3/23. You’d be surprised at how many buildings technically are federal and will be affected by the requirement. Really if you at all can, get it done & asap.

The timeline on the Real ID has been moved forward like 3 times already (slow to do states and Covid) and the 2023 deadline seems to now the end point on having to get one.
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Yes, he should have a form of ID for lots of reasons. Doctor's offices & hospitals require them, traveling domestically, anything legal or banking wise, getting into any US, Federal, or armed service areas, picture ID's, just to name a few.
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I was in the same situation with my husband. Between macular degeneration and later dementia, it was time for him to give up his license. He gave up driving without any problem. He did get a state ID and it has been used frequently.
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Honestly I have kept my grandma's current just she doesn't know it so she doesn't try to drive but I have ran into a few times where I've needed it so if u don't want the DL then I would at least get a photo ID just to have in case u need it bc it can help prevent something that may pop up worse than it needs to be. For instance I got a letter from IRS saying someone had filed my grandmas taxes & I knew it wasn't us so I'm currently working on that but I have to have here I'd to verify her identity so it can come in handy even if u just get the ID instead of DL. Just my opinion. Its better to go ahead & get it & have it than to need it & not have it & then have to scramble to get appt to get one & so on. Good luck with whatever u decide.
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I would definitely call the Driver's Licence office for your area to see if they can change it over to ID only if he is unable to go himself.

Any time you go to dr they ask for ID, so I'd say yes - get him an ID card. If I'm not mistaken my mother's never expired - probably based on her age.
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Yes, a person with dementia needs a state ID, not drivers license.

My Mom uses her state ID to withdraw cash from her bank account (she wanted to take us out to eat), to renew a CD because we were changing the account, and changing her will and trust (because her son died and he was the POA and successor trustee). An id is also needed when she has to prove that she is over 65 (good grief the lady is over 95), proof of residency, id when the National Parks pass is used or free entry because they are a patron (e.g. museum, zoo).

I liked it because it showed my Mom that she is still important in this world.
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My wife uses the ID to fly, but I think it also is something familiar from the past. We most frequently need it to vote, which she still enjoys doing. We both use ballots by mail.
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Most states have an official "state i.d." similar to a driver's license. He may need it for hospitalizations.
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Patty84: Though certainly not the same as dementia, my late legally blind mother with wet Macular Degeneration had unknowingly (due to low vision) let her ID only with the state expire. Fortunately when it came time for me to get POA, the notary public, who was a friend of our's, let her use her COB (Commissioner of the Blind) ID. However, he was not supposed to. And yes, I realize that an individual with dementia is well past the point of signing off on POA.
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My Mom calls her ID a "Walking license". And yes, all adults need forms of identification for various uses.
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My dad has his tri-care for life card and thankfully the bank took that as a form of ID. We were closing accounts and opening new ones. My dad is 90 and in assisted living but was advised to get a current ID card. His license had expired a few years previously. So you never know when a current ID will be asked for. I'm going to try to get for him online because he hates going anywhere these days. Mostly because of his mobility issues. Hope this helps
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Cashew Jun 2022
If he has a tri-care card. He should have a military ID as well. I have one as a retiree
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My BIL's driver's license expired due to dementia and he can't drive so we are just allowing him to use that it has all of his information on it. With the disease its easier to just let them have what they are used too then to change it up. He still believes he can drive but it will never happen.

As long as all the information is correct on it and has a picture that looks like him on it I don't see a need to change it up and like I said it has all the information on it just keep it. Checking with your state to see if you have to have a current ID you might have to do.

Prayers for your husband with this disease and Prayers to you and your family.
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