The Fork Test.
So when I see these frail older people in hospital and ask them to stand and walk when they are having lunch, they are unable to process the information quickly, they are unable to put their fork down, they just “dither” not knowing what to do, they need assistance to stand, they still hold their fork, and when starting to walk they still are incapable of putting their fork down on the plate even for a moment.
They can’t plan their movements.
They have a very high falls risk.
This is compared to a fit well person who would immediately plonk the fork onto the plate, stand up quickly and walk quickly.
This correlates with high crash risk.
Most of these impaired older drivers have significant cognitive impairment and an underlying neurodegenerative brain disorder.
For more information read Dr Peter Lipski’s book “Your Elderly Parents Failing Health. Is It Ageing Or A Treatable Condition”.