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I noticed he wasn't taking the right medicines in the right amount or on the right days. So, I put them in the week long container that has morning thru evening on it. Now, if he didn't take any of Sat.'s meds, he moves them over to Thursday! So, I took the container away and told him to leave his medicines totally up to me and to leave them alone. When do you decide to let someone who has had a stroke (iin my opinion) drive again?

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A driver rehabilitation specialist can give you and your family a professional assessment of someone's driving ability and capability. The American Occupational Therapy Association has a tool to find a specialist at http://www.aota.org/Older-Driver/Specialists.aspx.
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My husband had a very severe head injury and as he recovered he wanted to resume driving. We had a professional evaluation that included testing reaction times and various other things and also a behind-the-wheel test (in a car equipped with passenger-side brakes!) and was judged capable of safely driving. He was also given some suggestions for safe practices. All was well. Ten years later he developed dementia. Clearly he isn't safe to drive. Among other reasons is his reaction time is just too slow. Bless his doctor. She said, sympathetically but matter-of-factly, "I am required to report this diagnosis to the state. They will probably cancel your driver's license." I think in these cases it is so much better if a professional (doctor or specialized driver testing person, etc.) makes the announcement, rather than a family member. It was an extremely hard loss for my husband, and I am glad that he didn't blame me for it.
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Depends on how the stroke affected him. In my Mother's case never, she has vascular dementia since the stroke and is not aware enough or strong enough to drive. Maybe you could ask his doctor's opinion.
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A person who has had a stroke, whether it be Ischemic or Hemotologic, should never drive again. Take the keys away, and be available to drive him anywhere he wants to go, anytime..
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N1K2R3 - Oh no, please don't assume that NO ONE who has ever had a stroke can ever drive again - it depends on many things, such as overall level of health and cognition, and whether or not visual and visual preceptual skills are affected. Right brain/left hemiparesis is actually worse prognosis for driving than left brain/right hemiparesis, apparently n omatter whcih side of the road you drive on in your country because of this. I have a lot of young stroke and brain injury patients who can drive safely, and pretty much always have them get a specialized OT behind-the-wheel evaluation as NARICinfo above mentioned, so its not just for old people. A couple of my colleagues even have had small non-cortical hypertensive strokes and returned to practice without any apparent problem. I'm not saying there's no risk, on the contrary; the specialized eval is essential for both yoru liability and the general public's - just not to say "no one" or "never."
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Potpot, what problem are you having with your husband? Do you mean that his reaction times seem to be slowing? That he has cognitive problems?

In general, I'd advise anyone whose loved one has symptoms that might indicate dementia to get the person evaluated sooner rather than later. My husband's primary care physician said essentially, "He has dementia. Here's a prescription for a walker to help prevent falling. Good bye and good luck." Don't settle for that kind of brush off! Dementia is not curable, but it is treatable. Symptoms can be addressed and quality of life can be greatly improved. Find a specialist that doesn't take the fatalist view that nothing can be done.
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potpot: Glad I could help you find this link. I need to do more reading on the site too. Sounds like we are at the same point right now. I don't remember who answered but I agree that this should come from someone professional and not from a family member. I have been mulling this over for a couple of years now. Maybe today will be my day. My husband goes to the doctor and I have already made them full aware of this driving thing. Glad to have you join in in our conversations. I'm not always one to reply and some of the things here don't pertain to our situation but I always read the questions. Welcome!
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I agree with vstefens in the fact that it depends on MANY things whether a person who's had a stroke can drive again. I wouldn't throw the baby out with the bathwater necessarily. My dad is 85 and had a stroke a few years ago. His was relatively minor as far as strokes go, and it sure didn't effect his brain but he's lost the fine dexterity in his hand as a result. That doesn't stop him from driving (yet) but we do keep an eye on him though.
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Fancicoffee52: I have to look up the right brain/left brain abilities. Right now, I'd have to ask Dr.Amen.....brain specialist. You could look this up also by going on the Neuro anatomy website.
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I have been thinking about starting a facebook page with a support system for people dealing with caregiving/alzheimers. To give people links to click on in order to find help with various needs & a place to get support. Plus they would not have to leave home. Got any suggestions? There is aarp, this site, and other things. You know, a place like this one, only including medicare, medicaid, a place to talk.
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