At what age is it time to hand in the keys?

In 1997 there were 18 million drivers age 70 or older. In 2010, over 20 million drivers are age 70 or older. With the wave of baby boomers becoming seniors, the Government Accountability Office projects the number of drivers age 65 or older to be 57 million by the year 2030. Many of these drivers fell in love with the evolution of private, affordable transportation and the freedom it offered on the open road in their favorite automobile. Asking these seniors to hand in their keys and sell their car is taking away that quintessential American freedom they have enjoyed for over half a century. It may seem like the beginning of the end for them. Some may become aggressive at the suggestion; others may become isolated after relinquishing their keys. For their children or those caring for them, the issue is difficult as well: Mention handing over the keys now and risk an argument and losing their parent’s trust, or wait until they have an accident? Often it brings to the forefront the child’s challenge of having to become the parent to her parent, and for the senior to appreciate his decreased abilities and need for help to assess his ability to drive safely. This July, Massachusetts enacted a law requiring drivers 75 years or older to receive vision tests every five years. Efforts to add cognitive testing failed. Effective July 1, 2010, Connecticut revised its statute regarding senior drivers. It states that any physician, physician assistant or licensed advanced practice registered nurse may report in writing to the Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) the name, age and address of a person s/he diagnosed to have any chronic health problem (which in his/her judgment will significantly affect the person’s ability to safely operate a motor vehicle), or to have recurrent periods of unconsciousness uncontrolled by medical treatment. An optometrist may report the same regarding vision problems. In such case the DMV Commissioner may require the senior driver to personally demonstrate or otherwise establish that the senior is a “proper person to operate a motor vehicle”. The Commissioner may require a medical authority he designates to sign a certificate of the senior’s condition. The Commissioner also has the authority to suspend the senior’s driving license for a limited or unlimited purpose or just not renew the license. The reports will be kept confidential. The law prohibits one from suing the reporting person for making the report.

Arguments pro and con the new laws for senior drivers abound. Will new laws help? Will a senior suffering dementia, impaired driving abilities (such as hearing, vision and reflex abilities) or just plain stubbornness, really obey the law anyway? Is it unlawful profiling that targets seniors for extra driving tests, and additional expenses? And, how can a law really determine who is a bad driver? Many officials agree that a driver’s self-regulation and family involvement have greater impact than laws and regulations.

So, what is a loved one caring for a senior to do? Perhaps in Connecticut August 2010 www.mdmc-law.com 2 privately discussing your concerns with the senior’s physician, physician assistant, licensed advanced practice registered nurse or optometrist might be the easiest course of action. Without a medical directive containing the proper Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (a/k/a HIPAA) waiver, the doctor is not able to discuss her patient’s medical condition, but she most likely will listen to your concerns and act accordingly. However, note that the Connecticut law permits, but does not mandate, the report.

What is a senior to do? Age alone is not what matters. Ability is what matters. Unfortunately, we all get old. But the impairments to our driving abilities do not happen overnight. They gradually decline over time, often unnoticed or fully appreciated. How then do we know if our impairments have risen to the level of being unsafe behind the wheel? When in doubt seek help. Get tested in order to make the correct decision. To understand more, The Hartford has published A Guide to Driving Wellness publication. It can be downloaded from the internet at: http://www.safedrivingforalifetime.com. It is a bit tricky to find though. On the right side of this web page under “Safe Driving is about Ability – Not Age” choose “Visit Safe Driving for a Lifetime”. At the bottom left of this next screen under “Driving Wellness”, choose “More on Driving Wellness”. Under “Driving Wellness” choose “You and Your Car: A Guide to Driving Wellness”. In addition there are programs that conduct driving and evaluation tests for eye and motor coordination. For example, Easter Seals has a program as does the Masonic Home in Wallingford. The Maclean Home in Simsbury and Associated Neurologists in Danbury have tests as well.

U.S. News and World Report: Best Nursing Homes

Connecticut and Massachusetts host four of the top twelve nursing homes in the United States according to a U.S. News and World Report posted online January 11, 2010. To make the Best Nursing Home Honor Roll a nursing home had to have four straight quarters of perfect five-star ratings from the Federal Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services in three categories – health inspections, nurse staffing and quality of care.

Ranked first is the Bethany Skilled Nursing Facility in Framingham, Massachusetts. Fifth is the Hannah B.G. Shaw Home for the Aged in Middleboro, Massachusetts. Ranked Eighth is Lourdes Health Care Center in Wilton, Connecticut and ranked twelfth is Westview Nursing Care and Rehabilitation in Dayville, Connecticut.