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Mom, I Have To Ask You
For The Care Keys
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Taking
away the car keys: It's one of the hardest things you'll have to
do as a caregiver. And when circumstances dictate, it's one of
the most important things you'll do to preserve the life of your
loved one and the lives of others.
Remember the elderly man in California who stepped on the gas
instead of the brakes and killed 10 people at an outdoor market?
He injured at least 50 others, as well. He had a long history of
problem driving.
Recall the last time you saw a small white head peeping under
the steering wheel and creeping 20 mph under the speed limit as the line of
traffic built up behind? That was probably someone's parent.
In the past few months I've kept a log of comments from adult
children about their parents' driving (my thoughts in parentheses):
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It's
his last independence. I can't take that away.
(He's frozen up by
arthritis. His knees barely bend. He can't turn his
head. His right shoulder is immobile. And you want him
to be independent on the freeway?!)
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She's
only gotten lost once and she promises it won't happen
again.
(She can't remember
to take her medication, but she promises to remember
to not get lost again?!)
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He's
only had a couple of fender-benders.
(Both in the same
month, and one was a moving violation?!)
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He's
promised me he won't drink during the day, and he
never drives after dark.
(And these
promises are worth how much?!)
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