Another missing elderly couple out my way

ORIGINAL: rwbeagles

Their son was so funny..he said he was going to "take Daddy's car keys!"...lol

Well, I can assure you that there is nothing funny about having to take your parent's car keys. Your taking their independence and their freedom and they're having to admit that they can not longer do things for themselves. It's one of the hardest parts of a situation like that. We went through this when my grandpa went missing, the pure panic, filing a missing persons report, driving around their old neighborhoods hoping to spot the car, passing photos to news stations, and having to take his keys when he was found... Fortunately it turned out okay for us, and I pray for them too.

I do hope that they are found safe. It must be terrifying for their families.

This does remind me of a family story that will always be re-told. When I was 4 or 5, we lived in Baltimore. Around dinner time our car,  that was parked on the street, was in an accident. All we had was street parking back then. The gentlemen who hit the car was elderly and very far from home. He lived in Philadelphia and somehow driven all the way to Baltimore. It was quite an ordeal but one that will never be forgotten in our family. BTW, my parents hated that car and despite everything found the accident a blessing. The car was totaled and they got a station wagon which they kept for years.

--Sara

Sooner...the son had a good sense of humor about it actually...he was relieved and happy and he said it in a heartfelt "watching out for the folks" way. He might feel differently now...but at the time...he was intending his comment to convey his relief and was smiling and laughing and wanting to share it with the world (that being us watching the news).
 
Some may feel his humor wasn't appropriate...but he intended it as humor. I give the guy his moment...because yes, as you point out...he does have hard decisions to make ahead.

Gina, I know you saw it as funny & until you're faced with having to take away your parent's independence out of fear that they are going to hurt them self or even worse someone else then you probably will see it as humorous.  I'm not bashing you in anyway.  It sucks when you have to be a parent to your parent & slowly take away their freedoms that they had for so many years.  I just hope you never have to face that.

I still give the guy his moment. Here's the video in case anyone wants to watch..the short version...couldn't find the whole one..
[linkageId=1.1.1]http://www.myfoxdfw.com/myfox/pages/Home/Detail;jsessionid=1538C15940C0D5550CFD5DEBCC9CA2C9?contentId=2456968&version=1&locale=EN-US&layoutCode=VSTY&ageId=1.1.1[/link]>http://www.myfoxdfw.com/myfox/pages/Home/Detail;jsessionid=1538C15940C0D5550CFD5DEBCC9CA2C9?contentId=2456968&version=1&locale=EN-US&layoutCode=VSTY&ageId=1.1.1]http://www.myfoxdfw.com/myfox/pages/Home/Detail;jsessionid=1538C15940C0D5550CFD5DEBCC9CA2C9?contentId=2456968&version=1&locale=EN-US&layoutCode=VSTY&ageId=1.1.1[/link]
 

I'd like to think that we can help with the way it's all viewed, and keeping a sense of humor, at least for me, helps.  I've had to deal with it with both my dad and 2 uncles.  I teased my dad all the time and we laughed like crazy.  He'd said "okay, but I'll only drive to the grocery store and back" and it was only about 3 blocks away and minimal traffic, so we agreed.  We noticed he had a bunch of tiny dents and dings in the bumper/fender and realized he was using the braille method for parking [].
 
I think it upsets us (the adult children) as much as it does them, and so we whisper about it like it's a death sentence.  We (society) need to come to terms with the issue and make the idea of using alternative methods (sr. citizen vans, neighbors, etc.) less traumatic.  Years ago, the idea of a nursing home meant a place you go when you're waiting to die.  Now there are assisted living facilities that folks actually want to go to.  Heck, I've seen a few I wouldn't mind living in now.  I think we need to encourage more transportation options like that and personally reach out to help those we know who can't drive any longer. 

Cathy...I agree.
 
Tho we have no public transport...we do have a shuttle that used to bring the elder folks to the bookstore I worked at...a couple of times a week. The folks would hand us a card when they were ready to go and we'd call the shuttle back to pick them up. It seems like a great idea/alternative.

wow, that is really scarey, i too hope they are found safe!

 we've had similar things happen with my grandpa alot lately. he is in the mid stages of picks disease (accelerated form of alzheimers) as well as dementia.  one night he escaped and ended up a mile down the road trying to get in a neighbors semi and drive off. luckily it was an old family freind who didn't freak out and just brought him home, but that could have potentially been a really bad situation. i laugh about alot of the stuff he does, like stashing giant pots of smoothies in his garage, but never around my family, they just don't get it. sometimes its easier to cope with humor than dwelling on something you cannot change.