Safe Driving and Living With Alzheimer's

SAFE DRIVING PRACTICES FOR INDIVIDUALS LIVING WITH ALZHEIMER’S DISEASE
BY: Holly Tenner, V.P. Operations – Autumn Leaves

Driving is an important part of our lives and for most of us represents freedom, control and independence. A complex skill, driving can be compromised when an individual begins to experience physical, emotional and cognitive changes due to Alzheimer’s disease or other forms of memory impairment. Many times, people continue to drive without realizing how memory impairment has affected their ability to drive safely. Following are some important points to consider when evaluating the effect Alzheimer’s can have on you or your loved one’s decision to continue driving.

How can Alzheimer’s affect my driving? There are a number of early warning signs that can help determine if Alzheimer’s is affecting your driving. These can include needing more help than usual when going somewhere new, learning new directions or getting lost on routes that used to be familiar. Signs also include increased confusion at traffic lights, four-way stops, highway exits, one-way streets and with other common driving tasks. It’s also important to notice changes in attitudes towards driving. If you begin to feel anxious, scared or have a hard time controlling other emotions that can affect your driving, it’s time to re-evaluate things.
What if I am experiencing these warning signs? The first step will be to talk with your family and consult a physician. You may also want to talk with a driver rehabilitation specialist for skills assessment and evaluation. Together, your family and physician can help you determine when it’s time to stop driving.
What can I do when Alzheimer’s begins to affect my driving? It’s important to begin talks about this issue early when you can still participate in driving discussions. Work together with your family to devise strategies that will help maintain safe driving practices and set time limits based on warning signs. Driving evaluations are recommended when you first receive a diagnosis or begin to experience warning signs. To find a specialist in your area, go to www.aota.org/olderdriver, or contact a local occupational therapist with special training in driving skills assessment.
What happens when I am ready to give up driving? Planning ahead is the best way to maintain your freedom and get to the places you want to go. Some transportation options you may consider include sharing rides with friends or family members, taxi cab services, shuttle buses or vans, public transportation or walking if your destination is a short distance away. If you are planning to walk or use public transportation, consider asking a friend or family member to accompany you to help reach your destination without getting lost. To find additional transportation services in your area, call the national ElderCare Locator at 1-800-677-1116 or visit www.eldercare.gov to get contact information for your local Office on Aging.
Planning ahead to develop strategies that work best for you and your family is the most important thing to remember when talking about memory impairment and driving issues. Paying attention to warning signs and working together with your family will help you determine when it’s time to stop driving – for your safety and the safety of other drivers on the road.