Hanover
For many, it’s viewed as a loss of independence that, once gone, can’t be regained.
“If people can be empowered to make this decision on their own, it’s a slightly less painful decision,” said Valori Petrin, an occupational therapist at Kendal at Hanover who has been conducting driving-safety screenings for residents at the retirement community for 17 years. The number of screenings she gives each year varies, but usually it’s at least 24.
Sometimes residents request the screenings themselves, other times they’re referred by a medical professional or a relative calls Kendal with concerns. If the suggestion comes from a family member, particularly a child, it may not be as well-received.
“When we don’t tend to listen to our children or our spouse, we tend to listen to our doctor because they’re an authority figure,” she said. “It’s very hard for people to hear that it’s time to give up driving.”
Petrin tests for three things: vision, reflexes and cognition. Some of characteristics she looks for include range of motion, endurance and strength, and reaction times and ability to problem solve.
Petrin does not do a driving test, though she is working toward her certification to be able to do so. She only screens Kendal residents, but she gives a number of presentations at different locations in the community each year.
“Age is very relative,” she said. “It doesn’t necessarily have to do with their driving ability.”
The recommendations she gives can vary. Seldom does she recommend a resident stop driving outright: “It could be just not driving at night or inclement weather,” or high-traffic hours or on the interstates, she said.
“We get a gamut of reactions,” Petrin said. The strongest are usually when she suggests a resident stop driving completely. “That’s where we’ll get some pushback.”
Petrin’s recommendations are nonbinding: Residents are free not to follow them, though the majority do.
“We can’t take their keys, we can’t take their license,” Petrin said. She always follows up with them to discuss different options. “Sometimes you have to plant the seed.”
In extreme cases, staff could report a driver to the DMV to have his or her license revoked.
Then, there are the rare residents who are very accepting.
“They needed someone else to tell them it was time,” she said.
The root of the pushback is the loss of independence, said Laura Reed, a nurse practitioner who works at Kendal. This is reflected in small tasks: Driving to the store to pick up one or two items turns into waiting for the bus to do the same.
“I borrow stamps,” said Libby Stragnell, 92, who stopped driving after a mild stroke. She has a son who lives nearby and assists her.
Rose Miller, 97, stopped driving about six years ago in her early 90s after her daughter brought it up.
“Well it’s really terrible,” Miller said about giving up her license. “It just alters your life in a really big way. Freedom.”
It’s a loss she still feels.
When she still drove, Miller would regularly give others rides to the store. Now, that’s flipped.
“You have to rely on good, understanding friends,” she said.
Ann Atwood, 76, stopped driving after an illness. When she recovered, she wasn’t confident that her body was strong enough to take up driving again.
“I know that I didn’t feel I was safe to drive,” Atwood said. “I don’t regret it.” Caregivers assist her with errands.
One question Petrin regularly asks residents is when they envision themselves giving up their license. Few have a specific age in mind.
“If you ask a lot of these folks, they picture driving until the day they die,” Petrin said, but that’s just not feasible.
For those who hesitate, Petrin might point to the money that they could save by not having to pay for insurance or the upkeep of the vehicle. “Anything along that line, that’s a positive.”
Another is pointing out the safety risk “for themselves and their community,” Reed said.
There are ways to help ease the transition, such as becoming familiar with public transportation and ride-assistance options prior to giving up a license. That way, when the time comes, that knowledge is already in place.
“It’s a little easier in this setting than it is out there,” she said.
Kendal has its own transportation options, as well as an Advanced Transit stop.
Genevieve Williamson started requesting screenings from Petrin about five years ago. Previously, she had gone through the process with other family members of trying to get her sister to give up her license after they observed unsafe driving practices. Her sister ended up taking a driving test and failing, which put an end to it.
“I was convinced I was not going to be in the same situation and be a danger to people,” Williamson said. “How would you feel if you hit somebody else and gave them a serious injury?”
Williamson still drives but also regularly uses public transportation.
“If I can take a bus I will,” she said.
Williamson’s self-awareness is something Petrin has slowly started to see more of.
For family members or friends who are concerned, Petrin recommends looking out for warning signs such as stops that occur far from the stop sign and hovering in the breakdown lane. “We know what unsafe driving is,” she said.
The emotions attached to the topic make some hesitant to bring it up.
“Sometimes adult children are afraid to bring it up,” Reed said. “We don’t mind that conversation. It’s a difficult conversation, but a necessary one.”
It’s better to start the conversation early, before a serious problem occurs.
“It’s important to keep the conversation open,” she said.
Atwood, Miller, Stragnell and Williamson all agreed that it’s important to listen to what others have to say.
“I think it’s very important to have your ears open to anyone,” Atwood said.
Because at the end of the day, everyone has the same goal: To be safe.
Editor’s note: For more information, attend Petrin’s presentation from 10-11:30 a.m. on May 30 at the Aging Resource Center. To register, visit http://www.dartmouth-hitchcock.org/aging_resource_center or call 603-653-3460. Liz Sauchelli can be reached at esauchelli@vnews.com or 603-727-3221.
