A client called me recently to report that the Maryland Department of Motor Vehicles had suspended his license for medical reasons. The MVA notice was deficient in that it did not give particular details as to the reason for the suspension.
Only later did we learn that a physician who my client had visited only once sent in a one line report stating that the client had dementia and memory issues and should not be allowed to drive.
We appealed the MVA license suspension and, in support of our appeal, we submitted letters from my client’s doctor who has a five year history with the client and a psyschiatrist who has a 13 year history with the client, both of whom opined that the client, while he did experience mild dementia, was not so impaired as to be unable to drive safely.
We won that appeal and my client’s right to drive has been restored.
This case reveals that ageism may play a role in some doctors’ perceptions of an older person, and may color the doctor’s judgments about a patient’s abilities.
Fortunately, the law provides a remedy for persons whose right to drive is improperly denied due to the rash actions of those who do not take into account all of the factors impacting a patient’s ability to drive. In a word, the law enables older people to combat ageism.
William M. Gatesman assists seniors and their family members in addressing legal issues that impact them. If you encounter such a problem, you may call Mr. Gatesman at 301-260-0095 to learn whether there is a solution available to you.