Elderly drivers to face yearly medical exams

neilnruth · Guru

RE: Elderly drivers to face yearly medical exams

glassies · Guru

i always thought if it came to that ,that they would use some sort of drive lesson
like we have to do when we go for our licences, as some doctors can do tests
but have no idea what these people are like on the roads

be interesting to see what happens.

Wombat 280 · Guru

Forget the medicals and look into valid driving tests and not just the book knowledge testing. Some of the oldies need prescription windscreens not just reading glasses. so eyesight testing at the motor registry is a pure waste of time. The system of allowing 10Km radius licenses is next to useless, they are getting into trouble coming out of their driveway.

I agree the public transport systems especially in regional areas needs a great deal of work before forcing the oldies off the road . Next time down your local club just take note how many oldies use the courtesy bus , not many I'll bet they push the walker across the carpark and spend a good while getting into a vehicle far to powerful for the driver. I watched in our local shopping center one older driver have four reversing accidents before I felt duty bound (Get to him) to ask if I could help get the car out of the parallel parking spot . By the time I got in the Coppers were called by the shop keepers who turned up and took over and I left with the passing remark " It's all yours good luck" (hearing aids both ears walker frame to get to the car and two sticks to get from the boot to the drivers door. Whats his Dr's position in all this, If he shut down everyone like that on his books his surgery would only open 1 day a week and he would need to make home visits , heaven forbid.

msg · Guru

Canberrans are much maligned by the local government for not using public transport. I would not like to see some old frail person try to catch a bus from my house. I live in an inner Canberra suburb. The nearest bus stop is about a quarter of an hours walk for me. They only run every half hour to the local interchange. If I was then to go to the city I would have to catch another bus which can go around all the suburbs and take up to an hour. Heaven help them trying to get to the hospitals and doctors. And Its SO COLD wandering around outside in a Canberra winter.

Cupie · Guru

I am 72 and have no in principle objections to the proposal despite my disgust with the current Qld. State Govt.

For many years I have been going along for annual health checkups aside from any ongoing treatments.

Never any problems until all of a sudden, this year there are some potentially serious issues but which had no obvious symptoms. The regular detailed health checks may well have paid off.

The point is that one's health can deteriorate suddenly & rapidly. Having annual comprehensive medical check ups is a great strategy.

Maybe the need for yearly medical exams for licensing purposes may have good side effects, acting as a trigger for comprehensive examinations.

My only concern would be any State Govt. charges for the annual license renewal. I can't see this lot missing out on an opportunity to rake in extra revenue.

(By the way on the subject of extra revenue, I heard on the radio this morning that Hewson is advocating DOUBLING the GST and broadening the GST base. Very bad news for those on fixed income, should it come to pass.)

-- Edited by Cupie on Wednesday 22nd of May 2013 08:25:18 AM

gordon_adl · Senior Member

This could be a very bad side to being a true grey nomad. What happens when you get old enough that you really can't drive. It eventually happens to just about everyone with very few exceptions? Seems you'd then have the cost of finding a permanent caravan park to stay there. Is it cheaper to stay permanent in a cp then rent a small unit? Also, depending on what you're traveling in, how much would resale value be should you decide to sell everything and move into a small retirement place?

Cloak · Guru

Cupie wrote:
(By the way on the subject of extra revenue, I heard on the radio this morning that Hewson is advocating DOUBLING the GST and broadening the GST base. Very bad news for those on fixed income, should it come to pass.)

There are a couple of press leaks to that effect. Make of it what you will.

Cheers.

Cupie · Guru

msg wrote:
Canberrans are much maligned by the local government for not using public transport. I would not like to see some old frail person try to catch a bus from my house. I live in an inner Canberra suburb. The nearest bus stop is about a quarter of an hours walk for me. They only run every half hour to the local interchange. If I was then to go to the city I would have to catch another bus which can go around all the suburbs and take up to an hour. Heaven help them trying to get to the hospitals and doctors. And Its SO COLD wandering around outside in a Canberra winter.

One of the many things that keep us in this Brissy suburb is the convenience of the public transport.

There is a regular bus service around 200m from our place. Don't need a timetable & there's a pedestrian crossing for us old farts too. Lots of route options that can take us to a large shopping center with a major bus interchange or to a smaller local shopping center or even to the CBD if we wish.

Cupie · Guru

gordon_adl wrote:
This could be a very bad side to being a true grey nomad. What happens when you get old enough that you really can't drive. It eventually happens to just about everyone with very few exceptions? Seems you'd then have the cost of finding a permanent caravan park to stay there. Is it cheaper to stay permanent in a cp then rent a small unit? Also, depending on what you're traveling in, how much would resale value be should you decide to sell everything and move into a small retirement place?

A very good and valid point.

This is why we will never sell our home in the burbs, close to hospitals etc. Pity that our family Doctors keep retiring though.

Helena · Guru

We have been having medical checks for our licence in S.A. from the time you are 70 it depends on the ability of the driver not what age they are I am all for the medical check Bill and I have decided that if we think we are not capable of driving we would tell each other and we would accept that decision I know I would be the first to tell Bill if I felt unsafe with him driving the car and the same would apply with Bill telling me we do have to remember that as we age our reflexes may be slower and have to be sensible about it. only my opinion though. Helena.

BruDi · Senior Member

My view is that it should be the same Australia over. We're in SA and I know that once I turn 70 my medicals will be yearly. Bruce, because he has diabeties, has an annual checkup and has for years. I get one every 3 years as since I had cancer I have high blood pressure. I find the medicals annoying, but who cares. It ensures I am safe. However I know that there are people who do not tell the truth about their medical conditions and so do not have medicals. I have friends who say that because they take medication for hypertension they don't have it!!!! One has had a stroke but hasn't indicated it when renewing their licence and so are never checked; not good. Once they turn 70 they will be.

Di

yeoeleven · Guru

Had to have a doctors and optometrists certificate after turning 75 whilst using a Queensland license but now I am a Victorian licensed driver after registering the Coaster in Vic. not sure of the regulations there.

It would be a massive problem if my license was removed, travelling is my whole life. I keep fit and have no health issues so I expect no problems in retaining my license.

John

Knowledge speaks, but wisdom listens.