jimisbell

I couldnt find a specific forum for this question. But because I usually hang out here I think of some of you as friends and wont come down on me too hard.

Two weeks ago my wife was told by the Dr that she could no longer drive because of Macular degeneration Today he told me that in five years I also would have to stop driving. I am going to begin selling all of my 14 cars.

But that is not the main problem. We live alone, just the two of us. What will we do to continue? How can we shop, travel, visit friends, go to Church? We will be cut off from society.. We cant afford a live in Chauffeur. Its a small town with NO public transportation but even that would not allow us to travel, even locally. With a county full of small towns even a cab would not be feasible.

Are any of you facing this problem? Any suggestions? Maybe a Tesla?

tallcaguy

Sorry to hear about your situation. Have a friend dealing w/ the same situation. He's 80 and says that staying active helps him deal with the challenges of age. Maybe the self drive cars will be available then. 14 cars? That's a different one every day for 2 weeks!

vadorade

Assuming theres no Uber, put an ad in the paper or craigslist for a driver, asking for a ride when needed. I'm sure there's someone in town who could use the cash, maybe a teenager or student. With 14 cars, why can't you afford a driver?

edit: I would wait until the Dr says you can't drive before worrying. The Dr says 5 years until you can't drive, but who knows really? It could be that your eyes will still be good for the rest of your life.

Bob04

The Tesla you mentioned is probably going to be your best option.

https://www.tesla.com/videos/autopil...ghborhood-long

Johnhav430

Don't feel bad, I think technology is making things better for our everyday lives. And inevitably, life changes. Would I rather be 18? You bet. 25? Yep. 35? Yep. Younger, yes. But what can I do, I have a 3 1/2 y.o. son. What will the world be like for him some day?

If I look at my parents, they no longer get in the car and drive 4 hours to visit me. It seemed like yesterday that I bought my house, and my parents were coming down to see the area, to stay in my house, etc. The last 13 years went like a blink of an eye.

Ok, so......what I have learned from my parents, is that there is an AWFUL lot of stuff for older people, things I didn't even know about. Vans that pick them up when they need to go somewhere. Discounted lunches, discounts on certain days. I would do a what if....what are the services available that I don't care if this is a politically incorrect word, "entitled" to? In my state, county, town, etc.? You live in a small town, but what does it in fact offer? Maybe there are things that you're not aware of because you've never needed to look into them before? And again, think of the milennials, they don't want a car, because they want to only pay for what they use, so they love uber and lyft. When life changes, there's always going to be a way to adapt....good luck and keep us posted!

jayclapp

Sorry to hear about your eye issue. I also have macular degeneration. I suggest that you not just accept the Dr's conclusion and get another opinion or seek a well known specialist. I even had surgery done and I think that was responsible for containing the degeneration. I've had mine in one eye for several years, but it has been controlled and I still drive at 79 years old and expect to continue. Be positive and try to find a solution. Don't give up easily.

jimisbell

Yes, thats the answer.....LOL

jimisbell

I and my wife are 80 so its not wit out expectation. BUT we are in perfect condition otherwise, people often think I am in my 50s.

I have survived cancer (12 years) and last year a bilateral pulmonary embolism. Neither of which I would have survived just 20 years ago. Medicine is rapidly expanding....if the government would get out of it and leave it alone..... I may not be able to survive Government meddling in medicine....LOL

LS430inDE.

Sorry to hear about the medical prognosis for your eyes. My father is 83 and has also been told he has some macular degeneration as well. He still drives and actually is semi-retired. He still WORKS as a civil engineer looking at plans/drawings/etc! Granted with a magnifying glass now, but jeez! lol

His doc suggested he wears polarized sunglasses ALL the time when outside (not dark tint but specially made 'sun'glasses), and also to take eye supplements. The doc recommended AREDS2 by Bausch&Lomb. Here's a great write-up from the National Eye Institute discussing AREDS vs AREDS2. https://nei.nih.gov/areds2/PatientFAQ

Because the Bausch&Bomb branded AREDS2 supplements are rather pricey, my father, the internet savy 83 year old decided he'd buy them from Ebay. He was proud of himself when he said he picked up a bottle of 60 for $9. I viewed the expiration date when at their house, and it was a year out of date! LOL! Oh well, live and learn.

So, after he finishes his bottles that he sourced, I've already bought him a mega-bottle of this eye supplement from Andrew Lessman on HSN. The key ingredients in the supplements for helping your eyes are Zeaxanthin and Lutein. Check out the link and even more impressive are the customer reviews who use the product. https://www.hsn.com/products/ultimat...pport/10067444

Probably nothing but surgery will undo the years of damage/exposure to UV rays, etc, but you can probably help prevent further damage.....use UV blocking & polarized glasses and take your eye supplements. I think we can ALL AGREE that doing NOTHING would be the worst thing for you to do. You must try SOMETHING and hope the 5 year prognosis is adjusted to 10 years during your next eye checkup!!!

Wish you the best and good luck to you!

jimisbell

That is a deal!!!! My wife has been in the Medical profession all her life. One year out of date is NOT a problem. 3 to 6 Years are usually fine. The expiration dates are to sell drugs. Can you give me a reference to where he got them?

LS430inDE.

Of course! Tomorrow when I stop at their house I'll checkout his Ebay account and get the name of the seller. No guarantee if the seller regularly sells them for such a cheap price, or if it was a 1 time deal, etc, but I'll get the info tomorrow and report back. You don't like the Andrew Lessman/HSN route? LOL! My gf gets SO annoyed when he's on HSN and I'll sit and watch his promotions. He's amazing simply to LISTEN to. Some people call him a snake oil salesman, but I actually use several of his supplements and love everything I've tried.

jimisbell

No its not that dont like the reference. I DO LIKE it, I am just looking at all paths because I will be taking them for the rest of my life... Thank you for BOTH references.

mjeds

My mother has Macular, they took her license 8 years ago.

she uses Uber, Lyft, dial-a-ride, access (a local van service for medical patients), and another service I can't recall.

Access is paid for by her PPO for medical related transportation, so to and from doctor, pharmacy, or urgent care. They arrive within 15 minutes of the call or on a pre-arranged schedule made in advance.
Dial-a-Ride she uses for things like grocery shopping, and such because they allow up to 4 carry-on items, and they will assist disabled persons in loading and unloading them. They require 24 hour notice.
Uber and Lyft she uses for things like going to church or a friends house.


Mom is 80, and she has been doing this for 8 years, She can also depend on myself and my wife when we are not working, We only live 1 mile away so when we are home she knows to just call us.

jimisbell

Thank you EVERYBODY. I posted the original question just hours after getting the news. Since then,your comments, research and reason have come to my rescue.

I still have at least 5 years and Tesla is moving toward total automation very quickly and already are testing automatic cabs in at least ONE city already.

Also. medicine is advancing and may solve the problem before it becomes a problem