Star Journal

Top Menu

  • Contact Us
  • Hodag Star Journal E-Edition
  • Subscribe

Main Menu

  • Local
    • News
    • Business
    • Schools
    • Law & Order
    • Arts & Ent
    • Wedding Planner
    • Viewpoint
    • Sports
      • Sports News
      • High School Sports Scores
  • Covid 19
  • Outdoors
  • Wellness
  • Classifieds
  • Obits
  • Lake View
  • Northwoods NOW
  • Living On The Lake
  • Contact Us
  • Hodag Star Journal E-Edition
  • Subscribe

logo

Star Journal

  • Local
    • News
    • Business
    • Schools
    • Law & Order
    • Arts & Ent
    • Wedding Planner
    • Viewpoint
    • Sports
      • Sports News
      • High School Sports Scores
  • Covid 19
  • Outdoors
  • Wellness
  • Classifieds
  • Obits
  • Lake View
  • Northwoods NOW
  • Living On The Lake
Uncategorized
Home›Uncategorized›Boomers and Beyond: A difficult decision

Boomers and Beyond: A difficult decision

By StarJournal
February 8, 2012
534
0
Share:

It could very well be one of the hardest conversations to have with a loved one. How do you broach the frightening realization that driving skills are diminishing with age, physical limitations or dementia?

There is no doubt this is a delicate subject for many families, yet the consequences of not having a frank and open conversation about an unsafe driver in the family can be deadly. “Confronting a loved one about their driving is one of the hardest conversations family members can have,” says Sue Piazza, a certified social worker and assistant director of the Oneida County Department on Aging. “Think about when you got your license, that sense of freedom. Now think about asking someone to give that up. It’s very hard.”

Piazza deals frequently with family members who come to her seeking advice about discussing diminishing driving skills with a loved one. She has found that one of the most common perceptions among people who need to have this conversation is that they feel alone and are at a real loss as to how to go about even starting this discussion. Piazza assures people there are alternatives. “There is help out there,” she says. “People don’t have to go through this by themselves. We have many options for those who can’t drive anymore.”

Statistics bear out that the older drivers get, the higher the risk of accidents. According to The Hartford, a car insurance company, car accident numbers decrease as age increases, but experts attribute this to self-imposed limitations many seniors put on themselves. For instance, they may curtail driving at night or on busy freeways. However, after people turn 75 or older, the accident rate and rate of risk is nearly equal to that of drivers in the 16 to 24 age group; and the rate of fatalities increases tremendously after age 75. This higher rate is due to the decreasing ability to withstand the physical decline that often occurs with age.

While statistics bear out the fact that older drivers can pose a risk on the road, confronting a loved one about their driving is a very personal matter. One of the first steps to take is to make sure the driver in question is really a risk on the road. Are there more dents and dings in the vehicle? Have there been more “close calls?” Are other people commenting on the person’s driving habits? “Before you start a conversation with a loved one about driving, make sure there really is a problem,” says Piazza. “Everyone can have a close call or put a dent in their car, but if the instances are not isolated and are happening more frequently, then you need to address that.”

Choosing how to have this conversation is also very important. “The time to sit down and talk with a loved one about their driving is not immediately after they have had a close call or an accident,” Piazza says. “In fact, the best way to approach it is to have several conversations about it over a period of time.”

Angrily confronting a loved one is also very unproductive. “You can’t come at the person with a bunch of ultimatums like, ‘We’re taking your car keys away’ or ‘We’re getting rid of the car,” she explains. “That just builds resentment.”

If discussions about a loved one’s diminished driving abilities take place calmly, lovingly and over a period of time, these drivers are more apt to listen. According to the Hartford survey, of the older adults who reported that someone had talked to them about their driving, more than half said they followed the suggestions of their loved ones. Women generally complied more than men.

But what if a loved one just won’t take suggestions or insists on driving when they may be suffering from dementia or other age-related maladies that make them a risk on the road?

According to the Department of Transportation (DOT) website, Wisconsin does not have a mandatory reporting law, but physicians may report concerns about a patient’s driving ability to the DOT without informed consent of the patient. This applies to anyone whose physical or mental condition may affect his or her ability to safely operate a motor vehicle, based on a physician’s judgment. Decisions about impaired drivers are based on individual signs, symptoms, behaviors and the observations of others, rather than the type of condition or diagnosis.

There is a form (MV3141) that must be filled out through the DOT if a person thinks someone poses a risk on the road because of his or her age or medical condition. Depending on the nature of the driver’s limitations and the contents of the driver condition report, the DOT may require the person to undertake a road test; a knowledge test; supply a medical report; or pass a vision test or screening. If results of these tests show a diminished ability to operate a motor vehicle, the person’s license may be cancelled; however, only a behavior report signed by a doctor of medicine, advanced practice nurse prescriber or doctor of osteopath can result in immediate cancellation of a license.

Regardless of the method used to convince someone his or her diminished driving ability is unsafe, to make the transition easier, loved ones should explore alternatives that do not require the person to drive. For instance, family members can take turns driving a loved one to the grocery store, barber or hair dresser, church services or on other errands. In addition, at least in Oneida County, there are a couple of very helpful alternatives for seniors who don’t drive anymore. A bus is available to take clients to doctor appointments, shopping and on other errands. Also, there are kind-hearted volunteers willing to take non-drivers wherever they need to go. “We have drivers who will pick people up in Three Lakes, Rhinelander, Minocqua and drive them to doctor appointments in Marshfield or Wausau,” says Piazza. “These people are godsends for this program.”

She also advises adult children or caregivers to accompany their non-driving loved one when they do use these alternatives. “That way, if you can’t be there, then they will feel more comfortable when they need to get somewhere and they are alone.”

All in all, talking to a loved one about his or her driving ability is a delicate subject that requires tact, sensitivity and kindness. “If this conversation is done in a loving and compassionate way, most people will see the reason and comply,” Piazza says. “People don’t need to feel alone when they are confronted with a situation like this. We are more than willing to help. All they need to do is call.”

For more information, contact the Oneida County Department on Aging at (715) 369-6170.

Mary Ann Doyle is the associate editor of the Star Journal.

This article first appeared in the Feb. 1, 2012 edition of Northwoods ‘boomers and Beyond.

Previous Article

Solberg, Fonti join Marshfield Clinic Development Committee

Next Article

RHS junior looking forward to appraisal event

0
Shares
  • 0
  • +
  • 0
  • 0
  • 0
  • 0

Related articles More from author

  • Uncategorized

    Obituary: Mary Beth Garton

    July 25, 2012
    By StarJournal
  • Uncategorized

    Northwoods woman’s passion is rescuing at-risk horses

    August 4, 2012
    By StarJournal
  • Uncategorized

    Rhinelander angler Ryan Jirik places 4th at FLW Walleye Championship

    October 29, 2012
    By StarJournal
  • Uncategorized

    Eagle River YMCA Fall registration

    October 12, 2012
    By StarJournal
  • Uncategorized

    Sports Roundup

    December 6, 2012
    By StarJournal
  • Latest NewsOutdoorsUncategorized

    Rhinelander bird enthusiast offers tips for becoming a backyard birdwatcher

    July 15, 2014
    By StarJournal

Leave a reply Cancel reply

You must be logged in to post a comment.

About Us


Star Journal is published by Multi Media Channels LLC, N2919 County Road QQ Waupaca, WI 54981.

Timeline

  • January 20, 2021

    OCHD announces plans for vaccines

  • January 19, 2021

    Vaccines for ages 65+ to be offered beginning next week

  • January 19, 2021

    Shortcuts to Comfort

  • January 19, 2021

    Check it Out at RDL: Take advantage of curbside services

  • January 19, 2021

    Habitat for Humanity hosts online auction

Find us on Facebook

  • Contact Us
  • Hodag Star Journal E-Edition
  • Subscribe
Copyright © 2020 Multi Media Channels LLC.
All Rights Reserved. No part of this publication or any of its contents may be reproduced, copied, modified or adapted without the prior written consent of Multi Media Channels LLC.
×