Follow
Share
I wouldn’t take the truck but I would definitely disable it.
Helpful Answer (0)
Reply to Peasuep
Report

Does he have dementia? Where's he leaving from and going to? Does he live alone? Does he live with you?

Not knowing the specifics, it's difficult to answer your question. If you don't want him leaving, yes, you'll have to make sure he can't. If that means taking the truck, that's what you have to do. If he really wants to leave, he'll find another way, truck or no truck.

I seriously doubt that he's "fine most days." Whoever is supposed to take care of him needs help because eyes need to be on him 24/7. In order to keep him safe, that may mean care in a facility. Otherwise you risk what happens to many other elders when they start wandering, which is disappearing down the interstate, getting off and becoming confused, then peeing in a condominium guard shack. This has happened with the fathers of two separate friends. It could have been worse, like ending up in a canal with vultures swooping around. That has also happened to people I know about.

Take this seriously. It's more than taking the truck.
Helpful Answer (0)
Reply to Fawnby
Report

You have posted this under Alzheimer's and Dementia, Jimsdaughter.
But you haven't filled us in about your Dad.
So I have a couple of questions for you:
How old is Dad?
Has Dad had a DIAGNOSIS of dementia?
Does Dad live alone or with you?
Do you feel Dad is no longer competent to drive?
Has Dad had any recent DMV testing of driving and written test skills?
What contact have you with Dad's doctors, assuming he sees them.

Thanks for this information and it will so help in attempting to answer your query to us. I surely do welcome you to Forum.
Helpful Answer (0)
Reply to AlvaDeer
Report

You can't legally take the truck if you aren't his active PoA and your Father does not have a medical diagnosis of cognitive impairment. I agree you'll need to disable it, but he may decide to "fix" it or have it towed to a shop, etc. There are stories on this forum about men who've gone out and purchased new vehicles when their concerned children took their vehicles, so don't underestimate your Father.

I recently transitioned my 95-yr old Mom out of driving by having her primary care doctor write an order for a virtual driving assessment through their OT (occupational therapy) department. It worked really slick and I wasn't the one to break the news that she failed those tests, which had to go into her medical records and then her primary doc (who is a mandated reporter) was required to report that info to our Dept of Public Safety...who sent my Mom a letter telling her her license is now cancelled.

Call his primary care doc to see if you have this option for your Father. You can tell him a "therapeutic fib" to get him to go to such appointment ("The DMV requires this test in order to retain your driving privileges). The OT gives a MOCA test (for judgment/executive brain function) and reflex testing. My Mom turned out to be high risk.

If your Father doesn't have a PoA but then gets a medical diagnosis of cognitive impairment, this may cause a future problem in managing his affairs and making decisions in his best interests. A person with no PoA who is cognitively impaired may very likely end up as a ward of a court-appointed legal guardian.

A primary doc is the best person to do the basic, first-level cognitive testing. But is should also be accompanied by other tests of other health issues, many of which can produce dementia-like symptoms (such as a UTI, which is treatable).
Helpful Answer (0)
Reply to Geaton777
Report

Dah....if your father has dementia he is not fine ever, and should NOT be driving ever. Period, end of sentence.
Please either take away his keys or the truck so he can't kill or seriously injure some innocent person on the roadways.
Helpful Answer (0)
Reply to funkygrandma59
Report

Take the car battery out of the truck.
Helpful Answer (0)
Reply to brandee
Report

Ask a Question
Subscribe to
Our Newsletter