Suggestions for a dementia gentleman that drives into his garage with the hatch of his car up? Has occurred 2x now. No other driving issues.

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Suggestions for a dementia gentleman that drives into his garage with the hatch of his car up? Has occurred 2x now. No other driving issues.

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No other driving issues as of this point, but gentleman has driven into his garage twice with the car hatch up and smashed the window and damaged the garage door. Today he almost did it a 3rd time in less than a week.
Any suggestions as to what could help to trigger or prompt him to not pull into his garage before checking his back vehicle hatch?
I thought about a tennis ball that would hit the drivers side window as he was pulling in or almost something like a railroad crossing sign.
I’m at a loss. Any input is very much appreciated. He is still very active in driving and has had no other incidents thus far. It’s just been with pulling into his open garage to park and not remembering he has his hatch up. Ty and blessings

Alzheimer's & Dementia Driving

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Huge good news! 🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴💞💞💞💞🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴‼️‼️‼️

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Thank you so much!!!!!

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PSC, that's a wonderful development! Your thoroughness is admirable, and certainly saved some hardship and concern. Congratulations!

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Thank you for your kindness and taking the time to pm me.

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🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴
HUGE NEWS!!!!!!!!!
a follow up- it has been discovered at a registered Ford dealership that my dad’s vehicle does have a manufacturing issue. The dealership called and stated they had the rear hatch going up and down on its own and were trying to figure out why?!?!?
so-
i am grateful I did thorough questioning of my parents, the dealership, online forums regarding the vehicle.
sometimes things are not what they seem.
there is no doubt my dad has memory loss and a diagnosis is coming the middle of November
BUT the vehicle revelation is HUGE and no doubt points to my dad NOT being as advanced as originally thought and to ask questions and then even more questions.
blessings!

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Oh thank you for updating. That is great news!

Your poor dad must be so relieved to know that he was not leaving it up and destroying the garage.

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PSc, please check your PMs.

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Thank you for all the info. I read your pm. What a small world

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PSC, I think you're wise to not only address this issue, but to find solutions so that your father can continue doing something that probably helps him validate his life, especially as he ages. It's my firm belief that adapting to changes helps people age, and minimizes the overwhelming anxiety associated with loss of senses, privileges and other rights of enjoying the freedom of driving.

I think the alarm type situation already mentioned by others is a possibility.    A sensor that emits an alarm might be an option.     I did some quick searches and found that there are in fact alarms for trunks, based on sensors.

I would contact a dealership first to see if they have such alarms for his particular car model, and if they do, get enough information that you can determine if it's something that can be installed by someone who's not a mechanic, or if your own mechanic can handle it (at likely a lower price).   Or just research his car model in connection "trunk alarms".

The master dash board electronics indicate when a door is open, and that's on my antique 2005 Ford Focus. I'm sure there are much more new and sophisticated alerts.

Another option might be to install a sensor on the garage door that alerts when something at the level of an open trunk approaches.    That might be harder to hear though, unless you have a pretty loud alarm.

I thought about something soft that might block passage of the car with an open trunk, but I'm not sure that would be very effective.

Good luck with this project, and please share the information you find and what decision you make.

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Thank you for addressing my issue at hand. Some have attacked me for not taking my dad’s keys away. I’m attempting to take this one step at a time and so appreciate your thorough response!! Thank you, thank you, thank you!!!

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I just want to thank the people that watch over this forum for removing GreatGatbsy's rude and insensitive response to this woman's question/concern. I was actually wondering how it even ever got on it in the first place. Glad to know that you guys are paying attention. We don't need that kind of negativity on here, so thanks again.

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Thank you for your kindness, sensitivity and honesty. I am new to this forum and although I didn’t notice the greatgatsby’s responses removed until you said something- I like to believe this person meant well but I will not lie- it was brutal to read, stung and gave me an incredible headache and crying episode. lol. I wasn’t expecting to be called names by someone. My dad has a disease and is one of the kindest, most helpful individual one could meet -by no means is he an idiot. That stung! He is hurting emotionally realizing all he is forgetting and doing at this point and I see that too.
thank you for your candor.
*I did not expect to have someone post on my site/ ? And be banned. I’m surprised someone noticed and reported it.

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it may be time for him to quit driving.

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First off I want to apologize for the insensitive and rude remarks from GreatGatsby. They are very uncalled for and unnecessary, as this forum is supposed to be to be able to lift each other up, and encourage each other during the trying times of caregiving. So please forgive, as they are the exception to the rule on this forum.

Now to your concern about your fathers driving. 2 times(almost 3) in a week is a lot to be making the same mistake. Sounds like it's time to have him evaluated by his Dr (make sure you are sharing with his Dr what's going on), and then let the Dr be the one to tell him that he shouldn't be driving anymore. He will probably listen to the Dr better than you telling him that news, so let the Dr be the "bad guy". This sounds like it's the start of his making poor decisions behind the wheel, and you certainly don't want anything worse to happen to him or anyone else. Best wishes.

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Thank you for your sensitivity. Needless to say, the response from GreatGatsby was harsh -I’m sure meant to be helpful but calling myself and my dad names is completely uncalled for and saddens me. Yes- I’ve been a caregiver for years and as I’ve stated dealing with my own family is a whole new set of parameters for me.
my dad has his fu appt to his eeg and upcoming mri in a few weeks - his driving will no doubt be discussed.

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Have you had a chance to talk to him about your moms diagnosis? Could he just be hugely stressed because of his worry and angst about her? That has to be a tremendous blow to any spouse. That was my 1st thought reading all your responses, just a thought.

I would talk to a mechanic about putting an alarm on the hatch that will let dad know that he is not all buttoned up.

Your parents are very blessed to have a professional that can help them through. Please remember to take care of you, it is a difficult journey when it is your parents and easy to let yourself become completely immersed in their caretaking. God bless you all on this journey.

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Thank you for realizing that the blow of my mom’s PD diagnosis has been very recent!! It is much for any family to deal with. I didn’t disclose earlier but I also have multiple sclerosis and have no doubt that plays on all my family members minds too. Not making excuses at all- just realizing that you are 100% correct that I have not sat down with my dad to discuss his feelings about all of these health changes.
sadly, the past two weeks we were quarantined in my household with my Dtr having covid. I am finally done with isolation and a face to face sit down with both my parents is the best route. Thank you for the suggestion

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PSc, I can tell from reading a post from you in another thread that you are a very patient and tolerant person. However, in this situation, being patient and tolerant with your dad when he clearly can no longer drive safely means you're letting him cause more accidents.

You know that will happen as you said it yourself. Just how serious will the next accident be? He has Alzheimer's. His brain is dying piece by piece. The next time he might step on the accelerator instead of the brake. Which innocent victim will he kill?

The time is now. Please take away his key. Maybe sell the car. Use the money to pay someone to drive him.

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My dad is in the process of being diagnosed with dementia/ Alzheimer’s. Just had his eeg and has an upcoming mri with the fu diagnosis to be within the next two weeks. I put Alzheimer’s because there is no doubt something is going on. Back in March 2020 he was septic and that affected his health in many ways too.
we are at the beginning stages of a long journey and still processing it all as the information comes in. Thank you for your honesty. A sit down with my parents, husband and brother is needed
plus- the final analysis from the neurologist and his opinion.

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Have the hatch fixed to close automatically.

You can have a hatch is open alarm installed.

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Where is a hatch open alarm installed? Would that be through a dealership?

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I am so very sorry. My mom has Parkinson’s disease. I can certainly empathize with you.

I hope that you find the answers that you need in order to help your father.

There are many on the forum that have experience in this area so stick around for advice.

Best wishes to you and your family.

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THANK YOU! I’m sorry to hear about your mom with PD too. Ironically, after doing 10+ years of elder in home care, I had my first PD client within the past year. She passed away last month. Haven’t told my mom and have no plans to. It’s crazy how life works. Blessings!

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You mention in your profile that you Dad is 78 and has ALZ. There will come a time when it is not safe for him to drive any longer. You need to be prepared to accept this and please know he may not give up driving with grace.

2-3 times making the same mistake, indicates that he is not properly processing information. If he is unloading the car before driving into the garage, but forgetting to close the hatchback, it will not be long before he loads up the car and forgets to close the hatch.

It is time to check into other transportation options for him.

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First - thank you for answering my question. My dad hasn’t actually been diagnosed with Alzheimer’s or dementia yet. He has had the eeg this past week and an mri in the coming week. Either way- it is apparent that my dad is not processing Information nor remembering like he should. I have been an elderly caregiver for over 10 years and dealing with one’s relatives/ parents is always more difficult and has overlapping emotional bonds. I have no doubt that this is the beginning- yes! Just the beginning of what is to be a sad, tragic and heart breaking journey for my dad and my family. To make matters worse, my mom was diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease just this past month.
each time he has been in the driveway unloading the car with the hatch up- then goes back out to move it into the garage- forgetting the hatch is up.
there is no doubt more driving/ vehicle incidences will be occurring and I am in no denial about that. I’ve dealt with so many patients over the years and am only too aware of what is to come.
he has had no other accidents thus far, although driving into the garage 2 times- almost 3 is terrible !!!
but
i do hope to receive some suggestions as to how to help him right now. This is the beginning of a arduous journey and there is no doubt the car will be taken away when the time needs to be.
thank you and blessings.

Suggestions for a dementia gentleman that drives into his garage with the hatch of his car up? Has occurred 2x now. No other driving issues.

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