Here are a few things that I have done so far.

Figured out the cost of a cab to common destinations, such as church, golf course, grocery store and the average pattern of trips, and showed the offset by savings due to dropping car insurance, car repairs, gas, etc.

Figured out bus options, ie closest stops, how long to get to & from common destinations.

In the process, I found out that given that the reason for lack of drviing is limited vision, that it should qualify to register with CNIB, which in turn will allow for handicapped privileges, including cab coupons which get the cab for 50% off up to a max of x amount per month.

So, with that little bit of learning, we have gone from a "life is over, I won't be able to drive", to a "heh, maybe I can still go some places".

I'm hoping your wisdom will help me to keep up with those...well, it may not be so bad after all....

Here in Alberta vision loss can be sometimes considered reason for accessing our disabled transport. It is door to door service-but not quicklyas it picks up several others. it has to be pre-booked.

A distant relative used to put money in a cab account every year. Then when he husband was out of town-she just took a cab with the young boys. Because it was pre-paid it was easier for her to do. (and still way cheaper than a second car).

I was wondering about that, Tabitha.  May be good for doctor's appointments, where you know you have to be somewhere at a certain time.

I also heard we may be able to get him some assisted living type items, such as house cleaning. 

Hi pinga - it's a great crisis for many - their sense of loss of independence is severely shaken - and it seems for some like 'the beginning of the end'.  So there is grief involved with such a change, and I'm sure you're already on to that aspect.  The adjustment takes time.   *sigh*   You're doing a fantastic job with all the stuff you've listed above! 

Many folks do find that setting up an account with the cab company is better than taking cash out of their wallet for every trip.  Having adequate cash on hand can create anxiety for some folks.  Not sure if your taxis take credit cards - some do - but personally I think an account is better. 

In my area, the transhelp service is there - but it requires a lot of organization for pre-booking trips; mainly takes people to medical appts - not out to movies or shopping etc; although we do have a couple who come to church on Sunday via the transhelp bus - not such a busy day I guess;  also, one MUST be on time for them - they don't wait around for long & you miss the pick up - too bad.

CNIB has terrific services for people with 'low vision' - no need to be fully blind!   They have lots of cool gizmos that make life easier - stuff most of us don't even imagine is out there - so definitely give them a call & make an appointment for the new year.   Sometimes they will also make home visits to recommend changes to improve safety in the home.    Are you aware of the "accessibility"  options for computer screens - if the person uses a computer this can be really helpful. 

Thanks Carolla.

My father was coping relatively well, considering ...but this is just one more burden ..and it is a big one.  

I hadn't thought about calling them for an appoitnment, visit, but definitely will do so...for the new year..that way he will be prepared, for if he doesn't lose it at the followup appt in jan, he will lose it soon ..

also, good idea about booking the transhelp for the church .  it is something he can get there early for, and is a pretty set schedule he can book in advance, so..great idea...will suggest he could save the cabfare for those times which are more spur of the moment, out of area or out of service hours.

I had already planned to teach him about the bus in the spring..but this just moves everything up a few months.

I've noted here that Meals on Wheels provides a volunteer driving service to doctor appointments only.  They need a week's notice but they go with the person and wait for them and drive them home.  I think it costs something like $8 round trip (?) which is much less than a cab.  It's a limited service but a possible option depending on what services are available where you are.

TL

TL, any idea on how people accept the transition from being someone who drove people to doctor's appts, to someone who is driven?  just curious ...i'm thinking that will be the hard part...maybe less hard, when it is being purchased, than just given.

Pinga - at first I thought it was you, and I couldn't imagine you not being able to drive with the active life you lead.  But it will not be easy for your father either.   No matter what the age, I don't think a person is ever really ready to give up his driver's license.  It's his independence.  I've known people who kept renewing their license year after year, even if they didn't have a car and never drove - they just wanted to have it.  They felt affirmed by it.  They had it if they needed it.

Each time I get my eyes tested I'm afraid that the doctor will tell me to stop driving.  (Only happened once and only until my new (and stronger) perscription came in.)   But  I can imagine it happening.  I gave up night driving years ago and I have all sorts of tricks to help me, like driving around until I find a parking spot I can drive into rather than back up or parallel park. 

The psychological impact will be as hard for your father (and you) to deal with as the practical.  In this city there is a volunteer service (Red Cross?) that provides drivers for doctor's appointments.  We have good bus service throught the week to the malls, hospital, downtown - but poor or non-existant to other areas, like the bowling ally on the other side of the river - and buses don't run on Sundays and holidays.  Our church has an arrangement with a local taxi company - I don't know the details, like do you need pre-approval from the board, but certain people just phone this company and say 'St. Joan's account'.   But the biggest help I know is the habit we have developed of carpooling.  Maybe it is partly due to the fact that we don't have a parking lot, or enviromental concerns, but it seems that whenever there is a meeting or something going on people phone, or e-mail, around to see who is driving and who needs a ride - to book club, board meeting, seniors' group, choir, whatever.   

Your father might feel better about accepting rides if he can offer something in return - even to pay for the parking meter, or contribute towards the gas.  Or he may be able to accept the help from others if you remind him of all the things he has done for others during his lifetime.  Sometimes we are able to give; sometimes we have to learn to accept.

(ps - I am hoping to have my cateracts removed this spring and apparently during the operation the eye surgeon will be able to correct my myopia to a degree.  I may be able to see better than I have in years.)

Seeler -- when my Mom had her cataracts done, she no longer required glasses.  It was quite odd to see her without glasses after she had worn them all the time that I had known her, including photographs from before I was born.  She ended up getting a pair of glasses...but, she didn't have to wear them, ie she wasn't blind without them...so, sure hoping it works out as well for you as for her.

Good point re the carpooling.  hmm....you know, each step I go on this process, I realize more & more about things I (we) could do better at church....

Pinga, I will qualify the following with it really depends on where you live....

First, CNIB is an incredible resource around the country, I would make them my first contact.

Second, CCAC (Community Care Access Centres) in Ontario are another great resource that coordinates services within communities.  Again, different regions experience different things - I have heard that southern CCACs are stretched to the max but give them a try anyway.  For those living in Simcoe Muskoka I will testify we have a tremendous organization and a wonderful resource.

Third, Red Cross provides volunteer drivers - there is a fee charged - but will take people to appointments, etc.  I will say that in my area they are stretched to the limit but I have never had them let me down when called.  This service is only for those who are 65+

There are also private and volunteer drivers in some communities - I would think any of the organizations above would be able to put you in touch with them in your home towns.

Good luck:  Losing the driver's license is a huge issue, it is one of the markers for loss of independence and creative steps are needed to help the person not feel that loss.

Is a scooter out of the question?  I have found these are much loved for our in-town residents.

Oh, one other great resource for seniors if they are eligible, is Department of Veterans Affairs.  They have opened up a whack of services and funds, from foot care to transportation assistance including off setting that scooter cost.  Of which I will say 'about bloody time!'  My advice, see if there is someone in the local Legion that will assist in the process this seems to be the most effective.   

Speaking of work, gotta dash :-)

One of the churches here who has taxi pickup for Sunday Morning - Folk can make donations to the fund ( i they use it or if they don't). It makes people feel like they are not accepting charity. No one knows who donates and who can't.

Mixed feelings about the scooter. If you can't see well enough to drive on the roads should you be allowed to drive on the sidewalks? It is sometimes the same problem.

Now the CNIB has a vision loss limit-below which they serve people. My daughter is not allowed to drive without her glasses-but that vision loss will not qualify her for service.

And just a gentle reminder Pinga to gently  guide your dad but allow him to find his own way too. He may have ideas about how to do things or even about what things he chooses to go out for!

 right, understood tabitha.   More than anything, just letting him know life is not over...that there are possibilities which may not be so expensive.

now to teach him how to use google map, to locate the bus routes.  it is awesome.

I agree with tabitha about the scooter - great option for those with other things that limit their mobilty, but not for someone with loss of visual acuity. 

It will definitely be a journey pinga - tough situation to lose that driving privilege, so soon after losing his wife.  My thoughts are with you.  

 ps...thanks folks..made a couple of phone calls, got the basic information and numbers to call, when the decision comes through..but, what it allows me to do is just swing the pendulum from doom/gloom to possibility.

appreciate all your wisdom

and, yes carolla, it has been a hard fall , lots of changes and he's a trooper, and no fool...

pinga - as they say - the apple doesn't fall far from the tree, my friend.  Thinking of you at this challenging time. 

One person I know lost her liscence for a time due to seizures.  She mentioned one thing that has stuck with me (she was only in her late 20s at the time, and a mother): she HATED haveing to tell people Why she wanted a drive.

Typical exchange: A" Can you give me a drive to the mall?" B" Sure! Why?" A" I want to go to the mall." B" Why?What are you doing there?" A"I Just.Want.To. OK?!"

I've never asked 'why' since.  I can drive you anywhere you want. And I don't care, or need to know why. 

Honestly, I never thought of it before, and I'm very aware of it now my dad is in a similar situation.

I agree with all the other OTs that a scooter is not a good idea.  

I once was at a homevisit when a CNIB volunteer came to visit and I could hear and see all the gadgets. Amazing! The person was legally blind, but had some vision (as most people appearently do). He could get a gadget to be able to watch TV, which he couldn't for years! They also have advice on how to organize and memorize where things are, they teach using the white cane.

Also, things like talking clocks now appear in normal stores and are much cheaper there.

Excellent point martha!

Losing a driver's license is a powerful moment. It happens all the time in the congregation I serve. While there may be those who choose to grieve their perceived loss of independence, let me put the loss in some context.

You just gained $5,000 in cash in your pocket, if you sell you car. And that's not from the sale of the vehicle. That's the annual cost of putting a vehicle on the road in Canada today. Insurance, license, repairs and gas add up to $5,000 a year. You can take a lot of taxis for that.

It is an opportunity for any church to look at their accessibility and look seriously at the possibility of a bus ministry. That's what we have done. In fact, we are sheepstealing from churches who don't have a bus ministry. Most of the people on the bus have mobility or vision impairments. But they can still come to the church they love.

We approached our local school bus operator (First Student)  who was delighted to work with us. We give them the names and addresses and they do the rest. They schedule the pickups, provide the driver and the bus and run the route to and from church on Sunday. the driver even waits for stragglers after coffee. It's a win/win and the total cost is about $60/Sunday.

 no way....great idea. What type of a bus?

 (just thinking we are now accessable...so combine that with a bus..and would be pretty darn awesome)

might also be an option for the monthly mid-day seniors gathering

CCAC in Ontario is not only stretched thin, they are waitlisting anyone who is not a high or very high priority. By all means, see what might be available from their basket, but their cupboard is very, very bare (my wife was a CCAC manager and now does home care physiotherapy for a contractor; the CCAC system is severely busted in Ontario. Just check the last Auditor General's report)

Tis true. The bus is a 20 seat "short bus". Not accessible for wheelchairs, but they can accomodate Rollator walkers. A fully accessible bus could be available. Call and ask. First Student loves to keep their buses busy and generating revenue. And they have the software to develop the most efficient route. Our "gang on the bus" are quite a crew. They have lots of fun and laughter and really enjoy themselves. They mourn when one of their number dies and they take up an envelope for the driver at Christmas.

BTW, that $5,000 saving by getting rid of the car is what my parent's banker told them when they moved to a retirement home this fall.

 If you are willing to be a cantankerous old fart you don't need a license to drive ... you just do!

Put doing time in the local jail on your bucket list, then if you get caught it'll make your day ... that is if the judge has the balls to stick an 84 year old man in jail.   But don't sell your car you might need it for later.

Some good things about losing your license ... 

•  Now, at any party, you can get as drunk as you want to because you never have to be designated driver again.
• It now no longer matters whether your car meets emission standards.
• Now it is no longer necessary to replace the tires when they get bald ... I mean how are you supposed to know the tread is gone .... you can't see.  Anyway you're going to be driving slow so you don't get any attention from the cops.
• All your tree hugging friends who are too "green" to own or drive a car will stop pestering you for rides.
• It gives you all kinds of good excuses to call your kids.
• You can now stop dreaming up excuses to drive up to Home Depot to check out the stuff ... the money you save on impulse purchases of power tools alone will pay for your cabs.
• Nobody will even suspect you're in checking out the strippers because your car won't be parked out front.  They'll just think the wheeltrans guy is a dirty old man.
• Any time you want to beg off going to church, you've got a ready made reason. 
• You have a good "non-suspect" reason to ask chicks for their phone numbers ...  "in case you need a ride".  Remember!  Just get in, get the number and get out!  It doesn't have to love at first sight ... and you don't have to waste time impressing them with what a sensitive guy you are ... you can work on that later.
• It's a really great opportunity to make like a Mennonite and buy yourself that horse and buggy you've always wanted.  If anybody tries to stop you ( for any reason, say, some stupid by-law about keeping livestock in residentially zoned areas) accuse them of religious discrimination and discrimination on the basis of age and report them to the Human Rights Board.   Anyway you'll look more distinguished in a black suit and hat. 

 hah, qwerty, if Dad does lose it next month, then you can make him laugh with all those lines...very good, and you gotta know he will laugh about them...and he would look good in mennonite clothes.

though, wait until he gets his new hearing aids, so he can hear you!!!!

DKS -  your bus ministry idea is a great one. It made me wonder how much it might cost to purchase a bus like that. If the price is too high, I wonder if a rental company would allow you to provide your own (volunteer) driver - provided, of course, they had the proper licensing. I know of at least 3 people in my congregation (myself included) who have the appropriate licensing.

Which is more than a shame, as I said in our area CCAC is a lifesaver for many of our seniors and we are lucky that the services are still available for those in need.

Re:  the scooter - I was not suggesting it was a good choice for some one declared legally blind, but it is a good option for others who may lose their license for other reasons.  It may also not be a good choice for people who live in busy urban settings but for individuals who live in small towns such as mine I have seen first hand the joy it brings to those who use them.  One of our resident's favourite things is taking his scooter through the Tim's drive through - again probably not something that occurs in larger centres, we even used to have a guy take his horse up to the window!  These are the reasons I love living in a small town, btw.

Re: wheel chair equipped buses - I couldn't find a Canadian dealer on line but the prices in the US for new start at $51,000 for a 12-15 seater and go up.  Used start at half that.  Personally I think this would be a tremendous idea, particularly for rural communities, but people should remember it is not just the cost of the bus or finding drivers - there is the infamous insurance costs to be considered.

Qwerty, I like your horse 'n' buggy idea and everyone looks good in black!

LB

To get back my youth I would do anything in the world, except take exercise, get up early, or be respectable.

      Oscar Wilde

I just made arrangements for one of my patients to go home on a pass with "Alternative Transportation" = w/c accessible vans- they told me their vehicles last only for 2-3 yrs, they are used so much.

I remember seeing a gouverment grant for accessible vehicles a few years ago, don't know if this is still available, but if anyone is considering a project like that, google for it. (I am not sure if this was federal or provincial). There are also rebates from car dealers for building in certain accessability features.

 hi folks, i would doubt that most churches would have the volume of use to keep a bus on the road and pay for itself.  think of what dks said, the bus company wants them used as much as possible, down time is not good.  Better to build a relationship with the bus company, i would think...

Purchasing a bus and using a volunteer driver is horrifically expensive for any church, even if you provide the driver, IMHO.  Our cost is $3500/year, all up. We have no insurance liability worries. No worries about finding a qualified driver if the regular is sick. No worries about paying for the bus in the first place. No maintenace worries for the bus (ever figured out what a boost for a bus costs? It's far, far more than calling CAA). There are no scheduling problems for the route. 

 In our case it is a low cost outreach ministry that we have no worries about. None. If you are licensed and drive a bus for a commercial operator, you could ask what they would charge to have you rent and drive their bus. But will the church cover the liability insurance? At the same time, think of the employment opportunity such a rental provides. Most bus drivers are part time. A few more hours of work are sometimes appreciated.

I think your bus idea is great DKS!  

I am licensed to drive up to 25 people (myself included) at a time, but I do not work for a commercial operator, so have no idea about the logistics of bus rental, insurance, etc. Purchasing a bus would obviously be way out of the price range of most congregations, however I'm wondering if it might be cheaper to use qualified volunteers to drive the buses (assuming you have drivers in the congregation, or would be willing to pay the fees for a couple of people to take the tests).

I could picture this as a inter-denomonational project. Our congregation would not have $3500 in the budget, but since most places have several churches starting at different times, I wonder if churches would share the charter costs. It would become a whole new level of cooperation.

Again, you would want to check with the church's insurer about the liability insurance cost.

The Baptists and Pentecostals in our city do exactly that. They also contract with First Student for their folks. One bus, two churches.