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Out of context: Reply #69809
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Hoping to get a little advice from the greater community here.
My pops is 82 and has a condition called neuropathy which causes his right leg to stamp down when he walks. It's gotten worse over time and he walks with a cane.
He also has at least one gin & tonic each night around 5pm and has done so ever since I can remember. It hasn't always been gin, but it's always been cocktail time at 5pm. He's taken a couple of spills at home over the past few years, never badly injured himself and just chalks it up to getting old.
Now the neuropathy is starting to affect his driving, specifically his ability to smoothly go from brake to gas pedal and my Mom is starting to feel unsafe in the car with him. They drove three hours for a family party over the weekend.
I need to talk with him about cutting back on - or cutting out altogether the booze, and possibly the road trips - and I think I know already how the conversation will go.
I'm wondering if any of you have had to deal with a similar situation and anything that may have worked for you? Ot an approach that was not so good. Anything is appreciated - thanks.- my father has neuropathy as well, and it's affecting his feet. he's a doctor, but is getting treatment. I wouldn't just assume alcohol is a factor thoughmonospaced
- regarding the affect on his driving, that's a real issue though, and a real conversation ... prepare for the utmost stubborness and maybe hurt feelingsmonospaced
- there are legal ramifications to driving with this condition. insurance will deny any claim if they find out about the diagnosis.Gnash
- he's likely not legally allowed to drive unless certain modifications are made to the car (like hand controls)Gnash
- The booze is a tough one. there really is no way to manage that if he's not open to it. you can only control stuff like taking his keys and license awayGnash
- Don't ask him to cut down on the booze.
Do work on somehow explaining to him comprehensively that he shouldn't be driving any more. Or lose the booze.Nairn - Losing the ability to drive - to be individually free and mobile - is a huge loss in later years but if he's a danger to those around him, including loved ones?Nairn
- *Minus "Or lose the booze". I don't know whiy I wrote that - it was throwaway.
The booze shouldn't be any part of the equation.Nairn - get him a Volvo. Pilot assist = don't need to use pedals, follows car in front etc, good for 3 hour journey, plus they are super safe car, if they crash.shapesalad
- And some cocktail umbrellas - you can't have a 5pm cocktail without a little colourful cocktail umbrella.shapesalad
- Thanks all for the serious replies. Much appreciated.stoplying
- Agree to let him drive but look for solutions WITH him. Like hand control conversion kits, then follow up with therapy to keep him from that 5pm drink.robotron3k
- Nerve damage can be viral and I've still heard of interesting protocols with grapefruit seed extract for feet and an enzyme (I believe) alpha lipoic acid.robotron3k
- It's amazing that the body can heal if you give it the right environment. I cured a friend of spinal stenosis with enzymes, he can walk again! my dad of bonerobotron3k
- spurs also with enzymes, the doctors wanted to operate. Especially for older people, much of their body is just depleted of minerals which causes imbalance.robotron3k
- you cured them with enzymes? yeah, rightmonospaced
- Enzymes or suppliments. You don't have to believe mono, but the important thing is both my older friend w/spinal stenosis can walk again, pain-free, unaided.robotron3k
- Good luck with your pops, look into that grapefruit seed extract, supposed to be the miracle cure for feet neuropathy.robotron3k