Over the years I have dealt with seniors whose memory and reaction times are in question. This is particularly noticeable when they are driving. Their children often become alarmed at close misses and small fender benders.
A visit to a doctor often ensues. The senior is asked a few questions and the testing begins.
This time the driver’s test is in reverse.
With a driver’s license in hand, the senior is entitled to drive. They must be proven unfit in order to rescind the license. A doctor is often the one given the jurisdiction to start the testing. They are often the first to notice a deterioration in a person’s health – physical, mental, emotional and even spiritual. Any one of these areas can seriously affect response time.
And so, testing begins and sometimes licenses are revoked.
The seniors I have worked with find the loss of independence further accelerates their health issues. Most often, if you have been able to outlive others and you are still alive (redundancy still lives!), independence has become a byword for you.
Until one of the greatest transitions in life begins to happen. You can’t do it all any more! You have to ask for help to shovel the walk. Vacuuming becomes too much of a chore. One calendar item is enough in a day.
When your license is renewed, denial loses its hold on your life. The choice is to accept others help – and realize how many friends you have. Or you can chose to shrivel up and die – not the best option!
As friends, be open to help others. As one whose independence is now restricted, be open to others help.
Some good advice for all of us. We need to swallow our pride, as difficult as that may be. And if able, assist, in subtle ways, those who need it.
For the first time I was promised housecleaning help this wk and appreciated that, and then at the last minute it was cancelled out. So I washed the floors myself. Felt good even if I shouldn’t have ! Still driving at 87 in April, and passed all tests, have no trouble making decisions , in fact more alert than ever. Thankful, because life is fragile and know things can change quickly.