Well - THAT went about as well as expected...

[scooperhsd]

Today was the day for MIL's eye exam for her Letter of Concern (DMV for "should you be driving ?"), and it went wrong in every way possible.

Glad it's over with, just have to wait on their judgement and letter.

MIL has definitily degraded over the last 3 years. In  another 3 , she is not going to be driving, have to see about now.

[Rams]

I had the same experience with my own mom this past summer.
She did pass but, just barely and will have to return for the same thing next summer.
I actually drove up to KS from MS so I could assist, coach and if necessary drive her home if she failed.

I doubt my mom will pass next year which will bring about some difficult decisions for all concerned.
Being able to drive or not is important to all of us, losing that privilege is a big deal.
Not looking forward to that day, for her or myself.   Eventually, old age and failing eyesight is going to catch up with all of us.

Rams

[scooperhsd]

MIL's vision was fine - she could use new lenses to get back to 20/20 from her current 20/25 or so. The real problem is something else that can't really be treated... and I'm sorry to see it happening to her. My own mother had the same thing, but it was my sister that had to deal with it since we were still in NC during that time. In the meantime - just need to make sure she doesn't hurt herself or others to the best that I can - while fighting her desire for too much independence that she can't handle.

[Jess from VA]

You used to be able to just go out and pull the rotor out of the distributor.  Or the coil wire.

Of course the balancing act is to keep everyone safe.... without creating a mortal enemy in the process.

If that had been me, I might have carefully slid a pre-written note to the DMV person explaining how I really hope they find this person unsafe to drive anymore (but please keep this note a secret for the sake of world peace). 

I bet this comes up pretty often down at DMVs everywhere.

I'm here to help grandma keep her drivers license............... NOT!!

[scooperhsd]

Well - we will see what the medical & vision unit's determination is, and go forward from there. They may just let her keep driving (her Dr did recommend restrictions she pretty much does anyway), or they may have her take a full license test, or permanently revoke her privileges (and the DL examiner could fail her also) .

If still can drive now, all I can do is watch. Keep her making regular visits to her Dr, and follow her recommendations. Those visits will certainly be at least annually from now on.

[Avanti]

We were blessed . My Mom drove over one day and handed me the keys to her car and asked for a ride home.

[0leman]

Scoop, went thru that with my Mom when she was 95 or so.  Took some strong talking but she finally admitted I was right.  Kept her car, but had a friend drive her places.  She lived in a different town so 80 mile from me at the time. 

One of the "tough love" things we kids have to go thru with our parents.  I pity my kids when they try to take my motorcycle.   

[Jess from VA]

I pity my kids when they try to take my motorcycle.

That's when you hide your bike keys, then can't remember where you hid them.   

[scooperhsd]

Scoop, went thru that with my Mom when she was 95 or so.  Took some strong talking but she finally admitted I was right.  Kept her car, but had a friend drive her places.  She lived in a different town so 80 mile from me at the time. 

One of the "tough love" things we kids have to go thru with our parents.  I pity my kids when they try to take my motorcycle.   

I would LOVE it if she would do that, but MIL is VERY independent minded and "doesn't want to  be a burden on anyone" (sigh). That is exactly why I'm here.

Her phone has been ringing off the wall with spam calls - I was about to move her number over to the service the wife and me use that has Telemarketer block (enter a "random digit" to connect) when I decided to see if any spam filtering was available on her Google fiber phone - turns out they are available and were NOT turned on. Turned them on and we will see what happens. If that still lets too many through - I'm ready to port her number to our service as an extension on our account.