Where to cross the line: driving with dementia or Alzheimer's
I often find myself jumping in the car and driving to a location without even thinking--automatic pilot style. However, driving becomes a different issue altogether when both the caregiver and Alzheimer's patient come to a metaphoric and literal crossroads.
When should a patient stop driving? What are the signs that one should stop? What can a caregiver do to help the situation or to take necessary precautions?
Let's face it, there are enough dangerous drivers on the road and no one wants others driving or the Alzheimer's patient him/herself to fall victim to any other dangers...especially on the road.
I bring up this issue because as most of you know, the symptoms caused by Alzheimer's and other forms of dementia include memory loss, confusion, loss of concept of time, mood swings, and psychological displacement. All these are elements creating potential problems when behind a wheel.
A fantastic resource dealing with this issue is a collection of articles and tips found at The Hartford, an automotive insurance and financial (business) corporation. The fact that this company featured this article indicates their ability to think outside the box and direct their business to a wide variety of customers.
However, that's beside the point. Driving with dementia or Alzheimer's is a big issue. Beside safety and precautions, the article also addresses the issue of considering the patient's independence, which is something all too easily ignored. I was thoroughly impressed with the advice and information provided by The Hartford and encourage caregivers and patients alike to take a look at something very beneficial to the well being of both.
When should a patient stop driving? What are the signs that one should stop? What can a caregiver do to help the situation or to take necessary precautions?
Let's face it, there are enough dangerous drivers on the road and no one wants others driving or the Alzheimer's patient him/herself to fall victim to any other dangers...especially on the road.
I bring up this issue because as most of you know, the symptoms caused by Alzheimer's and other forms of dementia include memory loss, confusion, loss of concept of time, mood swings, and psychological displacement. All these are elements creating potential problems when behind a wheel.
A fantastic resource dealing with this issue is a collection of articles and tips found at The Hartford, an automotive insurance and financial (business) corporation. The fact that this company featured this article indicates their ability to think outside the box and direct their business to a wide variety of customers.
However, that's beside the point. Driving with dementia or Alzheimer's is a big issue. Beside safety and precautions, the article also addresses the issue of considering the patient's independence, which is something all too easily ignored. I was thoroughly impressed with the advice and information provided by The Hartford and encourage caregivers and patients alike to take a look at something very beneficial to the well being of both.
Tags: alzheimer's, caregiving, driving, patient
Replies to This Discussion
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Permalink Reply by Stephanie on -
That's definitely a difficult issue that needs to be addressed with Alzheimer's patients and their caregivers. It is true that people with AD shouldn't have to give up their freedom, but if driving is a danger to themselves and to others, there must come a point when it is no longer safe for them to drive, and hopefully they can accept that it is for the best.
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Permalink Reply by Emma Snider on -
Clarice, I find this really interesting. I believe that most people underestimate how much driving contributes to their sense of independence. It's sad that sometimes a person realizes how much driving means to him or her only after the privilege is taken away. My boyfriend's father passed away from lung cancer when he was thirteen, and I remember him telling me that losing the ability to drive was a huge issue for his father. It was only after he passed out behind the wheel and collided with a pole (thankfully, it was in a parking lot, and no one was injured) that he reluctantly handed in his keys. I think it's great that the article you pointed out considers the person's feelings about not driving, and also provides helpful tips on how caretakers can ease the transition from driver to passenger. I found this article from Mayo Clinic that also deals with the issue of driving for Alzheimer's patients. Although they take a slightly tougher outlook (they even suggest disabling the car), I think it's still worth a look. The list that they provide about how to tell when it's time to stop driving is particularly useful. Bottom line: safe driving should be a priority for everyone.
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Permalink Reply by Lisa on -
Clarice,
After stumbling upon an interesting article Predicting when it's time for early Alzheimer's patients to give up..., I thought I would be best to follow up on this great discussion.
As mentioned in the article, in a recent test, researchers recruited 40 people with early-stage Alzheimer's who still had their driver's license along with 115 older people without Alzheimer's, to take part in a "behind-the-wheel-exam". This 55 km course navigated drivers through rural, residential, and urban terrain while recording every action the drivers made.
Results were alarming. Researchers found that "on average, the Alzheimer's drivers committed 42 safety mistakes, compared with 33 for the other drivers". Results also showed that Alzheimer's drivers performed 50% worse on all lane violations (swerving, hugging the center lanes, etc.). Whether the participant had Alzheimer's or not, results found that "there were an extra 2½ mistakes for every five years of age". Researchers also found that "standard neurologic tests of multitasking abilities" which were given beforehand (included drawing shapes from memory, drawing paths between letters and numbers), accurately predicted who would drive worse.
So now what? Researchers hope these studies will help in developing an actual doctor's-office exam that may help guide when patients should give up the keys.
As the Baby Boomer generation gets older, this seems like a step in the right direction. Driving seems to be an all too common issue for Alzheimer's patients and their caregivers. How do you tell a loved one it's time they hand over the keys? And when is the right time? I'm happy and hopeful to hear that researchers are working to finally answer these questions.
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