Thank you for all the comments about public mourning. I did actually shed a tear for Ozzy, I really liked Black Sabbath in my youth, along with Kiss, Aerosmith, T-Rex and others of that ilk. I particularly liked Ozzy on his and Sharon's reality show, he was such a funny character. I also cried when Princess Diana died. I wouldn't go out and be publicly filmed along with crowds of others, though. Each to their own though.
Husband has now presented me with another potential big problem, which I'll have to deal with at some point. I've often said how he is with the forgetfulness, clumsiness, being completely oblivious to things, lack of comprehension, even his bluntness and rudeness at times with him having no filter. Some of you have said your OHs are the same. However, whilst some of husband's behaviours could be put down to normal age (and even male) related things, others are not, and even his normal behaviour (normal for him that is) is more than just age. So just to recap.....husband had a brain scan and lots of written, oral and practical tests, on two separate occasions a fortnight apart, which led to the formal medical diagnosis of cognitive impairment. We were told by the consultant psychologist who carried out the tests and gave us the diagnosis two things in particular that stood out - the first being that he was currently still fit to drive, she stressed though that might well (and probably would) change in the future and that I would know myself when it was time for him to stop driving. She said if I was worried, to get back in touch with them and they would arrange for a medical fit to drive practical driving test, at which point they would have the option of stopping him driving there and then if they deemed it necessary, or else requiring him to have further driving tests every 3 or 6 months. The second thing that gave us cause to think was that, although not everyone with cognitive impairment (CI) automatically goes on to develop some form of dementia, people with CI are much more likely to get one of the many dementia types. And that is always at the back of my mind.
As I've said, after much discussion we both agreed that husband would give up driving next July (when his next annual car insurance is due - no point in renewing it for another full year if he's going to be stopping driving soon after). I still think he's ok to drive presently, although I can see that some things are slowly changing, and I certainly wouldn't be happy about him driving more than a short distance by himself. He's not very happy about giving up driving, although does agree with the reasons why. However.....he's now announced that when he sells the car next year, he wants to buy an electric bike or mobility scooter! It seems to have escaped his notice (or he's forgotten) that the reason he will be giving up driving is that he may well not be safe to carry on in a year's time. He's also forgotten that his balance is pretty dreadful, so he'd more than likely fall off a bike. And if he thinks I'd allow him to go out and about on either a bike or a scooter on his own, he's got another think coming! I haven't said anything to him yet, I've got a year to think up a response - that's if he's still even keen on the idea then. So another potential problem to worry about in the future.
Oh dear. It never rains... Still, by next year, hopefully he'll have gone off the idea of a bike or scooter.🤞Especially as, by then, you will both be used to getting other forms of transport and deliveries, so there'll be less need for him to get out and about! It is a worry for you, though. xx
ReplyDeleteOh dear Sooze, yes, it is a worry. Hopefully he'll go off the idea by next year and hopefully GP will veto it too.
ReplyDeleteMobility scooters around our area are a menace! Some drivers on the pavements drive so fast, ringing a bell if you happen to be in their way. I'm amazed when they park them up, hop off as quick as a flash and are completely mobile after all!
ReplyDeleteOh my, another worry. Hopefully he will have forgotten about it by the time he gives up the car.
ReplyDeleteGod bless.
Oh Sooze, I’m in the same situation. I go from one problem to another, all along the lines you have just written about…it is exhausting. Yesterday my daughter and I spent all day re organising financial stuff because of my husband’s behaviour. June Uk
ReplyDeleteLady on a mobility scooter was knocked down and sadly died in our area a few months ago. We had seen her a few weeks before just turn and go straight across the road without looking infront of us. We stopped in time as only doing 25mph at the time. But its a fast road normally 40mph.
ReplyDeleteI think people riding these scooters should have road safety training and be assessed every year for their own safety.
Oh my goodness, I can understand why you're a bit anxious about the prospect of your husband on an electric bike or mobility scooter! As you know, my husband also has cognitive impairment (we're quite a bit further down that road than you are) and I think it's quite common to get these ideas (what my mother would have called "notions") which they become a bit fixated on. But I suspect that your husband will lose interest by the time he has to actually stop driving, and honestly won't find the idea of cycling around on his own in the rain that attractive! The doctor will hopefully veto the mobility scooter, not least because it's probably the worst possible thing for someone who needs to keep up his fitness and circulation (quite apart from the safety aspect). A cousin of my husband got herself one when she gave up her car for financial reasons, and within 6 months her GP had told her that unless she stopped using the scooter she would lose her mobility - she had already lost significant strength and stability in her legs and knees, because she was using it every time she went out of the house. They are fine for those who have a genuine medical need, but seem to be a very bad idea for anyone who can still get around under their own steam.
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