<p>My step Dad who is 90 and has severe congestive heart failure (he is always wheezing, falls asleep after taking a shower, can’t make it down the hallway to the elevator) thinks he can still drive. I think he can’t possibly be sharp and focused enough because of lack of oxygen to the brain. Can anyone support me on this? Or tell me I’m wrong? Thanks.</p>
<p>We always had a hard time with driving licenses in our family as people aged. Each time the situation was resolved by a spouse or son/daughter phoning the doctor and getting the doctor to weigh in, and if necessary, pull the license from the senior. Sometimes the senior never knew that the initiative came from outside the dr’s office. Other times, the doctor told the family, after examining the patient, “he’s okay, leave it alone a bit longer.”</p>
<p>From your description, bethie, he sounds so vulnerable to me. Yet he might tell you, sure I fall asleep after a shower…but I wouldn’t drive right after a shower. DOesn’t mean he should be driving though. Have you tried the doctor route? Aww, it’s rough. My heart goes out to you and him.</p>
<p>Thanks, I think we’ll look into the DR route. It is hard.</p>
<p>bethie - is he actually on oxygen yet?</p>
<p>No, he’s not on oxygen. He sees a Dr. frequently, so I have to guess the Dr. doesn’t think it’s the thing to do. He is very short of breath basically all the time.</p>
<p>His son is going to try to talk to the Dr. and see what he thinks.</p>
<p>Does your state allow you to call the DMV and report him as dangerous, some states then require a new driving test</p>
<p>I’m not sure he’s dangerous, I just worry. He took a test about a year ago and was ok, but his condition has deteriorated a lot since then.</p>
<p>This sounds like a dangerous situation for your stepfather and his automobile passenger(s), as well as for pedestrians and other drivers with whom he continues to share the road.</p>
<p>I suggest you either contact the DMV yourself, or ask your stepfather’s doctor to contact the DMV. I also suggest you take a careful look through your stepfather’s auto insurance policy for information pertaining to insured driver health. </p>
<p>About ten years ago, a good buddy of mine–a years-long diabetic who also suffered from advanced heart disease, progressive kidney failure, and progressive vision loss–had a health-related fender-bender car accident (he passed out at the wheel). After a brief hospitalization, he was required to report to the DMV for a follow-up road test. The DMV yanked his driver’s license that very day–permanently. My buddy (now deceased) was only in his mid-forties at the time.</p>
<p>Loss of driving privilege doesn’t mean loss of mobility. Many forms of public transit are mobility device-accessible. Also, many communities provide free or low-cost door-to-door public/private transport service to qualifying disabled adults. Your stepfather would very likely qualify for such transport service, if it is available to him.</p>