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It's Never Too Soon to Plan Your 'Driving Retiremet'

M

MULTIZ321

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It's Never Too Soon to Plan Your Driving Retirement - by John Daley/ Shots: Health News from NPR/ National Public Radio/ npr.org

"Harriet Kelly has one word to describe the day she stopped driving four years ago: miserable.

"It's no fun when you give up driving," she says. "I just have to say that."

Kelly, who lives in Denver, says she was in her 80s when she noticed her eyesight declining. She got anxious driving on the highway, so decided to stop before her kids made the move for her.

"I just told them I'd stop driving on my birthday — my 90th birthday — and I did. And I was mad at myself because I did it," she says, laughing. "I thought I was still pretty good!"

Kelly is now 94. She says her last traffic accident was in the 1960s. But, she says, "I think it's just better to make up your own mind than have your kids go through trying to tell you, and end up with arguments and threats and everybody gets mad."..."

robert-m-7fd6b68e91a19eb8dbdac551d08f0f6a036a4161-s800-c85.jpg



At 72, Robert McSherry says he's not yet ready to quit driving or ready to plan how he'll get around when that time arrives. But he's happy to get the insurance discount that comes with taking a driver safety class.
John Daley/Colorado Public Radio


Richard
 
My dad has to take a driving test next year when he turns 80 to get his licence. Apparently they give you two or three tries on a computer simulation, then take you out for an actual test if you can't get the hang of the computer one.

I'm thinking I'm going to get him two or three senior refresher lessons as a gift. He's already nervous but has a fairly good attitude about the fact that the day is coming that he may have to give up driving, for which I'm thankful.

My mom, on the other hand, will be the Charlton Heston of the automobile - they will have to pry the steering wheel from her cold, dead hands.
 
"It's never too soon"? Really? I think people in their 20s and 30s probably don't have to worry about this. By the time they're in retirement self-driving cars will be mainstream.
 
Self driving cars? Heck, when I was young, they told me there would be "flying cars" by the time I retired!

Fern

VegasBella said:
"It's never too soon"? Really? I think people in their 20s and 30s probably don't have to worry about this. By the time they're in retirement self-driving cars will be mainstream.
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Fern Modena said:
Self driving cars? Heck, when I was young, they told me there would be "flying cars" by the time I retired!

Fern
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Were Google and Tesla investing in and testing flying cars?

Tesla already has "autopilot". It's not totally self-driving but it's getting there. It's likely to be autonomous before I retire, for example.

http://www.teslamotors.com/blog/your-autopilot-has-arrived

http://www.wired.com/2015/10/tesla-self-driving-over-air-update-live/

Then there's this article that says we will definitely have self-driving cars within 10 years but that even by then things will change dramatically enough that these cars may not be relevant.
http://www.techinsider.io/self-driving-cars-may-already-be-obsolete-before-they-get-here-2015-11
 
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I'm worried more about when I might have to stop flying airplanes. :cool:

I fly with an instructor every six months or so. The FAA requires it every two years but I figure having it more frequently keeps any bad habits from creeping in.

Cheers
 
It was a battle to get my Mom to give up her car, though she had already stopped night driving several years earlier. DW's Dad had to have his doc call the DMV and cancel his privileges. He had diabetic neuropathy and couldn't feel his feet. He didn't know whether his feet were on the gas or brake, and we know of several 'near misses' (or near hits) he had.

For ourselves, we have at least part time relocated to a more urban environment where city buses and other public transport options are much more plentiful than at our current primary residence.

We'll see how this works out.....

Jim
 
This is probably a good idea to think ahead to 'what will happen if I can no longer drive?' One more thing to add to the growing list of tackling future potential needs as we get older.

Makes me realize how much some elderly really rely on their children when they are at this stage but before 'needing' NH care. My DH's help to his Mom is turning into an almost half-time job while she's still living 'independently' at home.

My own Mom had her keys taken away from her because she ran into a drainage ditch and her nephew-in-law was the local sheriff at the time. She didn't fight too much about that. My Dad drove with no problems up until he died. But we're all different I guess.
 
The other thing is even if you relocate to a more walkable environment- a good idea- will you actually be able to walk? As people age, some can only walk very short distances if at all.
 
Older people are not dumb and can be very slick!

My father - the control freak - had over 20 sets of keys to his car. Even with a live in aide - he would escape. We finally had the battery disconnected ... then he call the garage to come tow his car in to be fixed. The uniformed Home Health Aide stood behind Dad in her uniform ... trying her best to NIX that plan (the tow truck operator was an older person but still took multiple HINTS saying he could only tow a car with keys).

We found keys to that cars for years in his house ... 1989 Oldsmobile ... I drove it til 6-7 years ago and it is my brother's primary car since then.

As for getting old, his sister (my aunt) is still doing great at 90yo. She gave me her car ... making me promise to use it whenever I take her somewhere ... except to NYC this past May (told me to use my Focus as she did not want her car to get dents from being in the city for 3 nights).
 
mpumilia said:
The other thing is even if you relocate to a more walkable environment- a good idea- will you actually be able to walk? As people age, some can only walk very short distances if at all.
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Totally agree on this. Very short distances in all types of weather. I try very hard to keep 90yo aunt walking ... esp as she broke her hip 13 months ago.

But this past May, I had her for 3 nights in NYC ... she actually got MORE alert each day with more activity - both mentally and physically. And the effect lasted for months. I had her out on Sunday for a late lunch ... her walking is getting slower (less strong) but got to figure out another adventure ..she is still very sharp but her aide is VERY lazy with a waist size to verify that. My AZ brother is coming to town tomorrow night .. she will do ANYTHING for his attention ... plan is hatching. ;)
 
In not ready to stop driving but I live a short walk from a bus stop I dont live in an urban area, but all my important stops are on the bus route. I didnt plan it this way but it looks like things worked out. And if ever I cant get to the bus stop, theres always Uber

I always thought I wanted to live in the country. now that Im thinking about old age, Im glad it never happened
 
mpumilia said:
The other thing is even if you relocate to a more walkable environment- a good idea- will you actually be able to walk? As people age, some can only walk very short distances if at all.
Click to expand...
If you walk, you generally keep being able to walk as you age.
 
Fern Modena said:
Self driving cars? Heck, when I was young, they told me there would be "flying cars" by the time I retired!

Fern
Click to expand...

My car comes with "eye-sight" technology. Only 5 makers have that, last I checked. It is definitely a first step in self-driving car. It brakes and accelerates for me and keeping the car in safe distance, warns me of any object in both the left and right blind spots, beeps at me when there is an object behind me when I am backing up (in addition to the camera), beeps at me when the car in front of me moves off etc.
 
SMHarman said:
If you walk, you generally keep being able to walk as you age.
Click to expand...

Not if you have certain health conditions which worsen with age- clots, asthma, CPOD, arthritis, heart condition, foot problems- the list goes on and on.

Might need a walker, wheelchair, golf cart? (Is that considered driving? I don't know).

If you can easily get to public transport or take a cab, that is a good thing as well.
 
sptung said:
My car comes with "eye-sight" technology. Only 5 makers have that, last I checked. It is definitely a first step in self-driving car. It brakes and accelerates for me and keeping the car in safe distance, warns me of any object in both the left and right blind spots, beeps at me when there is an object behind me when I am backing up (in addition to the camera), beeps at me when the car in front of me moves off etc.
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A co-worker just bought a new car that will automatically steer you back into your lane if you drift out of it. Not just warn, it actually takes over control of the steering. All of these little features are definitely on a progression of fully-automated self-driving cars.

Kurt
 
mpumilia said:
Not if you have certain health conditions which worsen with age- clots, asthma, CPOD, arthritis, heart condition, foot problems- the list goes on and on.

Might need a walker, wheelchair, golf cart? (Is that considered driving? I don't know).

If you can easily get to public transport or take a cab, that is a good thing as well.
Click to expand...
Many of those worsen with inactivity as much as age. But yes, you make a good point.
 
PigsDad said:
A co-worker just bought a new car that will automatically steer you back into your lane if you drift out of it. Not just warn, it actually takes over control of the steering. All of these little features are definitely on a progression of fully-automated self-driving cars.

Kurt
Click to expand...

My car beeps at me when I wander out of my lane but I am not so sure I want a car to steer me back. What if I had swerved to avoid debris on the road?
 
I have (age 80) stopped driving at night and when the early or late sun shines directly into my eyes. Basically I only drive between 10 am and 3 or 4 pm when I can see just fine.

George
 
sptung said:
My car beeps at me when I wander out of my lane but I am not so sure I want a car to steer me back. What if I had swerved to avoid debris on the road?
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You can override the steer-back -- the car gives you a little feedback through the steering wheel, but you can simply push back a little more to override. It can sense if you are deliberately steering (such as to avoid debris or changing lanes) or if you are just drifting. I don't have direct experience, but this is how my co-worker explained it to me. (And yes, I had the same thought as you!)

Kurt
 
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As of CES year, predictions for an on-sale self-driving car on the order of two to five years, or 2017 to 2020. I guess I'm all set in my "driving retirement" years :D
 
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