Driving Us Crazy | Taking The Keys with Dr Joanne Bennett | Club Sandwich

Ageing parents? You've got them. We've got you. This week Sarah Macdonald is joined by Dr Joanne Bennett from the Australian Catholic University, designer of the upcoming 'Thriving Without Driving' program, to unpack one of the most loaded conversations in the sandwich generation: taking the keys.Together they map the three kinds of older drivers (the acceptors, the reluctants and the resistors), why stopping driving is associated with measurable spikes in depression, social isolation and cognitive decline, and why the conversation has to start years before there's a near miss – ideally in your parents' sixties, not after the dings on the bumper.Practical hacks include: how to use the doctor as your ally, how to discreetly notify your state's licensing agency, when an occupational therapist driving assessment is worth the ~$800, how Uber Senior, taxi vouchers and community transport can keep your parent independent, and why grandkids might be the unsung heroes of the public transport transition.Plus: the listener question from EJ, Sarah's "lost car at the shops" moment, and the dad-at-the-pub anecdote that captures the impossible tightrope every adult child is walking. This one is for anyone white-knuckling the passenger seat.JOIN THE CLUB: Visit https://clubsandwich.community to join the tribe, access resources, and find our private Facebook community.SEND US YOUR QUESTION: [email protected] this episode:This Week's Hack: "Use the system, don't be the system." You don't have to be the bad guy who physically takes the keys. Every state and territory has a licensing-agency helpline where you can report a driver you're worried about; they'll trigger a medical assessment. Pair that with a GP visit (you can ask to be in the room) and, where the verdict is contested, an occupational therapist driving assessment (~$800) that goes well beyond the 20-minute on-road test. Bonus hack: open an **Uber Senior** account – larger font, family can book and track rides. Hot Mess Moment: Sarah's friend whose dad, after the keys were finally taken, made her drive him to the pub each week – then loudly introduced her at the bar as "my daughter, the one who stole my car and took away my life." She just smiled: "Hi everyone, call me Jane."Meet the regular Clubbers:Melissa Reader. CEO of Vera and expert on Australia's ageing crisis.Jo Lamble. Clinical psychologist specialising in guilt and family dynamics.Dr Ginni Mansberg. GP and women's health advocate who tells it straight.Dr Stephanie Ward. Geriatrician helping you understand when "old" becomes a crisis.Kerry Milligan. Gogglebox star bringing humour and honesty to the sandwich generation.Topics covered in this episode:- Why 'taking the keys' is one of the hardest conversations in the sandwich generation- The three kinds of older drivers: acceptors, reluctants, resistors- License loss as grief (dual-process model of coping with bereavement)- The health cost of stopping driving: depression 2x more likely, social isolation, cognitive decline- Why to start the conversation early – in your parents' sixties, not after a crash- Gateway conversations: triggers, near misses, "what does unsafe driving look like to you?"- Self-regulation strategies: no night driving, shorter distances, familiar routes- Newer, simpler cars with advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS)- When your parent lacks insight - Links to cognitive decline / dementia - Working with GPs and being in the room for the medical assessment- How to discreetly notify your state's licensing agency- Occupational therapist driving assessment (~$800) when the standard test is too easy- Practical alternatives: Uber Senior, taxi concession vouchers (My Aged Care), community transport, on-demand public transport-Why men in older generations often find license loss hardest- Grandkids as the secret weapon for public transport and tech transition- Dr Joanne Bennett's 'Thriving Without Driving' program (ACT Government-funded, with the website launching later in 2026)Credits:Club Sandwich is brought to you by Vera, helping families caring for ageing parents navigate this stage of life so you don't have to do it alone. JOIN THE CLUB: Visit https://clubsandwich.community to join the tribe, access resources, and find our private Facebook community.SEND US YOUR QUESTION: [email protected] This episode is supported by Australian Unity Home Health and Care. Proactive local care that helps your parents stay independent and living well at home. Visit https://australianunity.com.au/clubsandwich. Need more clarity at 3 AM? Vera gives you a structured 15-minute voice conversation to help you understand where your parent stands and what to do next. Discover more at https://vera.guide. Sarah Macdonald – Host and Executive Producer.Melissa Reader – Commissioning Editor, Executive Producer and Clubber.Justin McArthur – Executive Producer.Audio + video edits by P. Zinner Podcasts (https://pzinner.com.au)Theme music 'Club Sandwich' by Sean Wayland. Hear more from Sean at https://seanwayland.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.