Advice Needed...

[Swimmer]

What you need to do is call the registry of motor vehicles in Boston and ask if you can file an immediate threat against your father for what has recently occured. They will understand and help you with this very difficult part of taking care of your dad. In thirty seven years of policing I had to do this so many times I dont care to recall. When I did this it was because I witnessed an incident. No officers have witnessed anything as yet, so its not up to any officer nor will any officer I doubt at your request will file an immediate threat for you. Doctors can do this for you. I think most primary care doctors have the forms or at least have access to them to get a license revoked. Beware though I have seen elderly people get an attorney and actually get thier license to operate back after a hearing. I can think of one gent that hit a car three times, because he couldn't see to pull around it at 85 years of age. The third time he hit it, he also hit the owner who was trying to stop him. I had his license taken away. The son and the father went to the registry and got it back. Son came into the station to rub it in that he did so. Son didn't like it when I said it was on him from here on out not me, and good luck. Maybe speaking to the county elderly services people could help as well. In Plymouth County they hae people who actually come out and do an assessment of the person in need and will ake reccomendations. Good luck.

[Raven]

cool info swimmer
i'll keep that in mind because i expect
to be in the same boat soon enough
with my father in law... maybe next year

one thing i have witnessed
is an increasing fear of failure
that elderly just don't want to accept

and then they begin to drive with blinders on
just like horses wear in a city
and they won't look left or right
just straight ahead

that is a sure sign....

[OLD GOAT]

With my mother all of a sudden the car wouldn't start. And that was that.
I think she was ninety two

[spinncognito]

I wish this were as simple as taking the car or keys away but it is not. He is not experiencing full-blown dementia, just starting to show the signs- it could be as simple as his blood-sugars being off casuing the confusion. Regardless, he is refusing to cooperate and whoever drops a dime on him to the police or doctors will never be forgiven.

My thought at this point is to make sure the local police are aware that he is driving and let them be the bad guys.
Very difficult situtation indeed. Thanks again for sharing your thoughts and experiences.

[vineyardblues]

ALl very very sad ,
Another quick story
A verly close friend pulled in front of a Tractor Trailer and got hit so bad it totaled the car,The driver was fine and was so upset she just keep driving away with the car wiped out until she got to her garage

We also had to install a cement piller in her garage so she did hit the the oil tank ...it was a tuff few years and I still miss her ><>---

[nightfighter]

Wake-Up Call for Elderly Drivers | Video - ABC News

I hope maybe this story will help. He surely doesn't want to hurt, maim, or kill others....

[Raven]

good video and example

of the confusion or tunnel vision syndrome

some mental deficiencies take as many as 30+ years
to manifest themselves and "some" ARE reversible.

[jimmy z]

I had a similar situation with my dad before he passed last year. When with dad, I would never let him drive and was always nervous when i know he was. Because I saw new scrapes and small dents whenever I visited him. He had major foot surgery, which let him with half a foot on each leg, but still refused to give up driving. Declining health put him in a wheelchair, but he still refused to give up driving. We were at a point, where we were ready to pull the plug on this driving he did, but his health took a turn for the worst and he just couldn't any longer. I was relieved but yet saddened. Because I know my dad, who was so active all his life was near the end.
It's a difficult situation to be in and I wish you and your family the best in dealing with dad. God be with you, for He will show you the right way!