Do dementia patients ever need a form of current ID?

My mom never changed her DL to her new state. She couldn’t come up with the documentation required (birth certificate, marriage license). Come to find out she was paying $20k a year in property taxes “in state” would have been closer to 8k. Now She’s physically unable to go the the DMV and guess who is paying the taxes? YES, if you are able to get an ID, do so.

I just dealt with this very thing! My mom has had dementia for 10 yrs now and has not driven since her diagnosis. I was filing her taxes electronically several months ago and at the end it stated that I needed to enter the number off of her state issued ID. If one wasn't entered they could delay or deny her tax filing. I had to pick her up from memory care and take her to the BMV! It was awful. When they finally called our number and we approached the desk, mom looked at me and asked "what name do I use?" LOL They looked at me like I was trying running some sort of scam! I had to explain that she had dementia and that she was confused. I ended up getting a state issued ID card for mom. Unfortunately, it's only good for 3 years I think. So, yes, you will need an ID for him.

UPDATE: I checked with the local Secretary of State’s office (IL) and was told he would have to come in in person to request an ID, preferably before his license expires, but he could get a no fee, non-expiring state ID. Thank you for all of the input! My main question was, other than preparing POAs, his will, updating Social Security acct., etc. recently, he hadn’t needed his ID in well over a year. Just wondered if it was important to keep a current one. All good info & things to consider. Won’t hurt to get it just to have it, just in case. Thank you again!

Yes. Always current. The bank would not let my Daddy withdraw money without a current ID. (I was late in updating his ID.) I always took him to the bank and my name was on the account so it really didn't matter as long as he got his money but if something had happened to me or if his granddaughter had to have taken him then he would not have been able to get his money. My Daddy was old school so he always did everything in cash or check.
Smiles

My Dad surrendered his drivers license 2 years ago due to once passing out while driving because he had a TIA, lucky he wasn’t killed or kill some else, also he had some guy who was on his phone while driving run into his car. Guess the Man upstairs was watching out for him. So when he came to live with us, we got him a photo ID card with his photo, DOB and address on it. He goes for walks everyday but should something happen to him or he falls. He carries his photo ID on him always, which is good and I check this always.

My BIL's driver's license expired due to dementia and he can't drive so we are just allowing him to use that it has all of his information on it. With the disease its easier to just let them have what they are used too then to change it up. He still believes he can drive but it will never happen.

As long as all the information is correct on it and has a picture that looks like him on it I don't see a need to change it up and like I said it has all the information on it just keep it. Checking with your state to see if you have to have a current ID you might have to do.

Prayers for your husband with this disease and Prayers to you and your family.

My dad has his tri-care for life card and thankfully the bank took that as a form of ID. We were closing accounts and opening new ones. My dad is 90 and in assisted living but was advised to get a current ID card. His license had expired a few years previously. So you never know when a current ID will be asked for. I'm going to try to get for him online because he hates going anywhere these days. Mostly because of his mobility issues. Hope this helps

My Mom calls her ID a "Walking license". And yes, all adults need forms of identification for various uses.

Patty84: Though certainly not the same as dementia, my late legally blind mother with wet Macular Degeneration had unknowingly (due to low vision) let her ID only with the state expire. Fortunately when it came time for me to get POA, the notary public, who was a friend of our's, let her use her COB (Commissioner of the Blind) ID. However, he was not supposed to. And yes, I realize that an individual with dementia is well past the point of signing off on POA.

Most states have an official "state i.d." similar to a driver's license. He may need it for hospitalizations.

My wife uses the ID to fly, but I think it also is something familiar from the past. We most frequently need it to vote, which she still enjoys doing. We both use ballots by mail.

Yes, a person with dementia needs a state ID, not drivers license.

My Mom uses her state ID to withdraw cash from her bank account (she wanted to take us out to eat), to renew a CD because we were changing the account, and changing her will and trust (because her son died and he was the POA and successor trustee). An id is also needed when she has to prove that she is over 65 (good grief the lady is over 95), proof of residency, id when the National Parks pass is used or free entry because they are a patron (e.g. museum, zoo).

I liked it because it showed my Mom that she is still important in this world.

I would definitely call the Driver's Licence office for your area to see if they can change it over to ID only if he is unable to go himself.

Any time you go to dr they ask for ID, so I'd say yes - get him an ID card. If I'm not mistaken my mother's never expired - probably based on her age.

Honestly I have kept my grandma's current just she doesn't know it so she doesn't try to drive but I have ran into a few times where I've needed it so if u don't want the DL then I would at least get a photo ID just to have in case u need it bc it can help prevent something that may pop up worse than it needs to be. For instance I got a letter from IRS saying someone had filed my grandmas taxes & I knew it wasn't us so I'm currently working on that but I have to have here I'd to verify her identity so it can come in handy even if u just get the ID instead of DL. Just my opinion. Its better to go ahead & get it & have it than to need it & not have it & then have to scramble to get appt to get one & so on. Good luck with whatever u decide.

I was in the same situation with my husband. Between macular degeneration and later dementia, it was time for him to give up his license. He gave up driving without any problem. He did get a state ID and it has been used frequently.

Yes, he should have a form of ID for lots of reasons. Doctor's offices & hospitals require them, traveling domestically, anything legal or banking wise, getting into any US, Federal, or armed service areas, picture ID's, just to name a few.

Please, please pls, If at all possible, get a REAL ID for him. All the states now do an “indefinite” status REAL ID for those who do not get a drivers license.

As of May 3, 2023 a REAL ID (state ID has the gold star) will be required for admittance into a federal building or building under federal ,jurisdiction. So if y’all should need to go to SSA office and the office is in a federal building, you cannot get in without Real ID after 5/3/23. Now a lot of the federal buildings are right now redoing their entrances to allow for a public access area and then a separate entryway to other offices only via a real ID cleared entry; but if the SSA office in your area is in an upper floor of a federal building to get to it you will have to, have to, have a Real ID after 5/3/23. You’d be surprised at how many buildings technically are federal and will be affected by the requirement. Really if you at all can, get it done & asap.

The timeline on the Real ID has been moved forward like 3 times already (slow to do states and Covid) and the 2023 deadline seems to now the end point on having to get one.

Get the Real ID to replace the driver's license. ID is needed for many situations, including health appointments and the hospital. In case he has to fly; maybe to relocate.

My wife has not had current Id for almost 20 years once she stopped driving. Even her passport expired. As long as she has her Medicare and ins card it is all good so far.

If he has a valid passport that may serve his needs for an ID.

Yes, we have run into this problem several times in the last couple of years with my mom whose drivers license expired. It’s a pain not having current ID and a pain to get it back once it’s been expired a while, if I had it to do over I would have transitioned her DL into a state ID card before the license expired.

Yes. “He has had to show it several times…….”

I just turned in my 96 yo mom’s driving license and got her a real ID instead. She seldom has to show it now, but it does happen and I might have to take her on a plane someday. I let her passport expire because I don’t expect any international travel, but domestic flights are a possibility.
I took her into the DMV, expecting a wait, but when I got there I found out our state has gone to an appointment system and walk-in service is almost impossible. When I told the clerk it was for my 96 yo mom, however, she took us right through. Great age occasionally has its privileges.

Good Morning,

I believe the government recently came out with a Real ID. These covers both license and legal identification. At least this is what they do in my State.

The Real ID is an identification card that one can also use dual purpose as a license.

You can check out your local DMV or Senior Center and see how they work it in your State. Everyone needs an ID these days especially with all the doctor's appointments. They always ask for ID and insurance card.

Hope this helps.

I would say yes, if my husband lives long enough to have it renewed, I am only getting an ID card. My two granddaughters only have ID’s and there are times a person needs it and the person does not drive, dr appointments, etc.

You will need his ID if he ever has to sign a legal document. (POA, medical care, update will).
You need a legal ID to get medical care.
You will need a legal ID if he is ever admitted to a medical or residential facility.
You may need a legal ID if you stay in a hotel or motel.
He can't board a flight without a current legal ID.
When you go to renew his license get the Real ID instead. Make him a laminated photocopy to carry in his wallet along with a few dollars. Keep the real one somewhere safe or with you.

Yes he definitely needs an ID and you should go ahead and get the REAL ID even though it is not required until next year. The deadline kept getting changed due to COVID. If you don't have a Real ID, consider taking care of this for you at the same time. Later, it may be harder for you as his caregiver to schedule for yourself since you would either have to find a sitter or bring him along. You don't have to wait for yours to expire to get the Real ID.

https://www.dhs.gov/real-id

https://www.dhs.gov/real-id/real-id-faqs

Even if you don't travel, you will need it to enter a Federal Building... think Social Security, etc.

You may not be able to take a license and convert it to an ID on-line. I had to take Mom to the DMV (before COVID) to change hers over. She had to do it in person because she had to sign in front of a clerk. I had to stand there with her and spell out her name for her. In my state your ID# is the same as her license #s.

During COVID my nephew let his ID expire. When he tried to make an appt (IDs had to be done at the office) it kept saying his info could not be found. Offices just opened up so we stopped in and found because it expired was why no info was in the system.

I was able to renew mom's ID online thru the California dmv. Never thought she would need it but in fact she needed it to get her covid vaccine at a pharmacy and again at a clinic. Also was needed to get her disabled parking placard issued (so I could park when driving her to dr appts). I would definitely get the ID. You just never know when you will need it.

It's a good idea for him to have a current, vaild ID. If he has to be hospitalized he will need a valid ID.
Do not renew his license, but get him a current ID through your state's motor vehicle department.