We know that Alzheimer’s dementia is a progressive disease. Sadly, there’s no doubt that people with this disease will become increasingly forgetful, will have difficulty making decisions and will become disoriented over time.  So, when does an individual with Alzheimer’s disease and their family members decide when it is time to stop driving?

 

This is not an easy situation.  Alzheimer’s disease in its early stage presents a grey area, where a person has some difficulty with their memory and is often aware of it. They know that something is amiss, but still can function doing familiar daily routine tasks.  However, over time they can’t help forgetting some of their routine tasks. And more and more details located in their short term memory region of their brain.  For example, they may buy milk twice in one day, forgetting that they already purchased it. They may have a very hard time remembering their neighbour’s name. Even though they’ve known the person for the past 5 years.

Forgetting Familiar Road Rules

Relating this to driving on the road, a person may forget a familiar route they usually take to drive home. Especially if the area has been through some construction changes. They may also forget how to operate turning signals which are vital to assist other drivers with your intensions. It is also dangerous when the person doesn’t recognise road signs. Or even remember road rules anymore. “What does that sign mean again? I know that I used to know, but it’s just not coming to me. What do I do when at a four-way stop? What does that arrow mean, and what should I do, or not do, when I see the left arrow with a cross through it?”

If a person is increasingly experiencing out of the ordinary memory loss. This would be a good indicator that they should seek a driving assessment.  At this point, some individuals willingly surrender their license. Some will not. If a family member sees this type of behaviour, they should gently insist that it is time to check in with the family doctor. And discuss having the routine driving assessment for people their age. It only takes one accident to create complications in life or even a loss of life. Something I am certain they do not want to see happen.

 

A Driving Assessment

If a driving assessment results in not renewing the driving license privilege for this individual. Then as a family member it would be best to continually deflect the blame to those professionals. Rather than leaving an emotional memory directed at you, the caregiver, for this upsetting result. Emotional memories can last a very long time. And the last thing you want is to hear them blame you for taking away their driving license on a daily or even hourly basis. 

Please be aware of the driving behaviour of your loved one and take it seriously if anything seems out of place. With regards to time and spatial disorientation, error in thinking and decision-making is essential. Again, gently speak with them about going to the doctor to get a check up…just to be on the safe side.

Driving and dementia is not an easy topic…however, safety should always come first.  If you would like a more personalized creative solution on how to address this difficult topic with your loved one, please contact me at Karen@DementiaSolutions.ca.  I would be glad to help.

 

 

 

Karen 🙂

 

 

Karen Tyrell, CDP, CPCA

 

Personalized Dementia Solutions

www.DementiaSolutions.ca