It's all about offering options as alternatives. They see it as independence, which you need to replace with opportunities. Public transport is free with the option of a taxi as a treat, on-line grocery shopping takes away the fear of being stuck in bad weather and family and friends pulling together makes a nice positive.
It came down to cost in the end with my 91 year old father. His car broke down and wouldn't start, and the garage that collected it diagnosed the ECU. A new one was almost £1000 which he quite rightly baulked at, but they found a second hand one which he paid a couple of hundred for, but that too was on it's last legs.
We talked over the costs, and the savings he could make by getting rid with insurance, tax etc and he so desperately wanted to carry on that he talked of getting another car, but the thought of struggling with a model he'd never driven was all getting too much.
He mulled it over for a few weeks, during which time we offered lifts to his regular farm shop run, and he caught the bus to the town.
In the end, he was quite relieved to have the worry of driving taken away. He was never an enthusiast though, and drove because he thought that was the only way.
In the D of E's case, I'd put money on him hitting the wrong pedal, it being an auto. He's just a belligerent ass though.
Options are the key though. Never force anyone, it must be their decision.
