The ramp test.

• Older frail people with neurodegenerative brain disorders are very slow in movements and reflexes. They lose their immediate safety reflexes to correct their balance if they are about to fall, so they can’t save themselves from a fall.

• You can see these frail impaired older people struggle to walk up a slightly inclined ramp into my consulting rooms using a walking frame, very slow, very unsteady, flexed posture and unaware of their surroundings. These older people have a severe neurodegenerative brain disease that affects speed of movement, balance, reflexes and cognition.

• This is why they cannot drive a car safely.

• They are just too slow in thinking and movement.

• These people have a very high falls risk- low speed=high falls risk.

• Those frail older impaired drivers who struggle to get into and out of their car very slowly should not be driving cars!

For more information read Dr Peter Lipski’s book “Your Elderly Parents Failing Health. Is It Ageing Or A Treatable Condition”.