How old and still driving????

[robanddi]

We are now considered by most to be elderly (sounds awful doesn’t it).

We have a 2001 34’ DP which we still love and which suits us well despite various repairs and breakdowns to be expected in an older motor home. Our general health is good but we do have some issues (I have artificial knees and husband had a ‘spontaneous rupture’ of his tibial tendon where surgical repair is not a good option.

I retired in 2000 and since then we have done 6 summer trips to Alaska and 6 summer trips to Newfoundland. We have put a lot of miles on the coach and us but I still believe there are many miles left! There have been other shorter trips – many in conjunction with my husband’s antique car hobby. We also have done flying trips during this period lasting from 2-6 weeks. We are fortunate that our bucket list while still extant has many items checked! Bottom line – travel has been and continues to be our favorite pastime.

My husband turns 80 in October and I am 71. We both can drive though he has always been the primary driver. So my question for y’all is: “When do you stop taking long trips?”

Thanks,
Diann

P.S. I do realize this is such an individual thing BUT am curious about how many other 'elderly' folks are out there still doing the long haul trips.

[wandering1]

robanddi wrote:
We are now considered by most to be elderly (sounds awful doesn’t it).

We have a 2001 34’ DP which we still love and which suits us well despite various repairs and breakdowns to be expected in an older motor home. Our general health is good but we do have some issues (I have artificial knees and husband had a ‘spontaneous rupture’ of his tibial tendon where surgical repair is not a good option.

I retired in 2000 and since then we have done 6 summer trips to Alaska and 6 summer trips to Newfoundland. We have put a lot of miles on the coach and us but I still believe there are many miles left! There have been other shorter trips – many in conjunction with my husband’s antique car hobby. We also have done flying trips during this period lasting from 2-6 weeks. We are fortunate that our bucket list while still extant has many items checked! Bottom line – travel has been and continues to be our favorite pastime.

My husband turns 80 in October and I am 71. We both can drive though he has always been the primary driver. So my question for y’all is: “When do you stop taking long trips?”

Thanks,
Diann

P.S. I do realize this is such an individual thing BUT am curious about how many other 'elderly' folks are out there still doing the long haul trips.

What sounds awful about being elderly?

[loulou57]

Duck wrote:
Driving means independence for us older folks. It is hard to give up your independence but the chance of hurting some one else should be number 1.
Don

When my dad was told he had stage 4 cancer at 80 his main concern was his license. He took chemo constantly for almost 4 years and had 12 surgeries. Every year he went and got his license renewed. He had his car maintained and had it cleaned weekly. The thing is that he also decided "not to drive" after his diagnosis. Why the license, maintaining even keeping the car? It was his pride, he couldn't totally give up his car.

Even when the ambulance took him to the hospital the last time and the ambulance stopped at the doors he got off that guerney and walked (stumbled) into emergency. He knew he wasn't coming home and he wanted to walk out with pride.

I would like to think that people know when it is time to stop driving.

[FunnyCamper]

Mom is 85, Dad 86. They self limit themselves now. neither has any med problems at all. They don't drive at night anymore. No more long trips in the car, like 10 hr drives up north. they are limiting their driving to about 3-4 hrs tops on the road. That is when Dad starts to get fatigue behind the wheel. So a 3 hr trip to the casino in the mts. is very doable for them 🙂 and they go alot now.

It is what you think. If shorter trips are needed, then do that. Drive so many hrs and call it a day. relax, enjoy your time. it doesn't have to be all the time on the road.

but just self check yourself. If you start to feel uncomfortable in certain situations then change your ways and adapt best you can. But I intend to never stop til I go into the ground :). sure I might limit my drives but I am going all in with this life!

[Duck]

Driving means independence for us older folks. It is hard to give up your independence but the chance of hurting some one else should be number 1.
Don

[Harvey51]

X2 on that, Paul.

A doctor ordered a driver's test for my dad at age 94 after he experienced double vision (probably a small stroke) which went away after a couple of weeks. He failed his road test. He got new glasses and I worked with him until his driving improved considerably. Passed the test, licensed with distance restrictions, no city driving. He drove occasionally for another two years until he failed his vision test and the optometrist said it couldn't be improved. The thing is he didn't realize he was unfit to drive and continued to do so until I disappeared his keys. By that time he had scrape marks on his car, hopefully from hitting his own truck.

I think it is critically important to deal with every near accident something like the airlines do now. You must figure out exactly what happened and how it should have been avoided. If you can change your driving to make a repeat unlikely, then carry on. If not, hang up your keys. Absolutely ask your spouse, relative or friend to keep an eye on your driving and take your keys if appropriate.

[paulcardoza]

Unfortunately, for ever person who has the self awareness to question his/her ability to drive as they age, there are 10 others who should not be behind the wheel.

I'm a big believer that anyone under the age of 25 and over the age of 75 should be road tested annually (or at least every other year), to prove they have the ability to properly control a vehicle. We need to get back to where possession of a driver's license is regarded as a privilege and not a right.

[hawkeye-08]

Dad is soon to be 85 and still goes out, usually by himself. He recently had to put his dog down so is not as excited to go out, but still does. He has an ATV that he loads into the back of his truck. He is in better physical shape than many half his age.

[bukhrn]

I'm a firm believer in doing what you love to do till the lights go out. Just a suggestion, if you're not driving safely anymore, perhaps you could get a close friend or relative, like a son or grandson to go with you to do the driving, and y'all can still enjoy the trips. 😉

[2gypsies1]

If you don't have the mobility then definitely hire someone to do things for you like getting on the roof or crawling underneath. There are many young folks that won't do that either.

It sounds like otherwise you have no medical issues and if you feel your reflexes and eyesight are still good then keep on traveling. It's really helpful that both of you drive. We think that's very important.

Continue on with your fun. You're not ready for the rocking chair yet!

[bhh]

maybe your local health provider offers a program like this:

clicky

[Steve_B_]

Good for you for questioning yourselves and thinking things through. That's a great thing. My dad will be 89 soon and should never drive again. He is on a walker, can hardly get up and around, yet he keeps asking the doctor when he can drive. He swears he is going hunting this fall. I admire his spirit but he just doesn't see that he physically can't do it. It will be an awful day when the argument has to be made to him that he cannot safely get back on the road. I wish he had the sense that you folks do to wonder if he is fit. Sounds like you folks are ready for many more miles! Enjoy!

[harold1946]

My mother and father quit when he was 89 and she 90. Health issues.

[Community Alumni]

My buddy is 83 and still drives his class A along with his toad; he also still flys his own plane!

[Cloud_Dancer]

I'm 75, and pass a flight physical exam every 6 months. I'll quit driving when I get too old.