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For
most people, driving is a necessity as well as a symbol of
independence. There are very few people that will easily give up their
independence and give you the keys to their vehicle. Yet for individuals
with Alzheimer's disease, driving a vehicle can pose serious risks and
endanger themselves or others. The decision of when to stop driving is
one that Alzheimer's patients and their families often face.
There
are many opinions concerning the issue of driving for the Alzheimer's
patient. If he trusts his physician, the doctor may have more success
than the primary care giver in letting the patient know when to stop
driving. The physician may be trusted by the patient and be able to
explain to him that his medical condition may interfere with his
driving. This scenario is good for the caregiver as it takes the
responsibility off you and puts it on the medical condition, with the
physician being the messenger.
Below
you will find some guidelines for approaching this sensitive issue with
your family and your loved one. Ask your relatives to back you by being
pleasantly supportive of your loved one. For a while, make sure he has a
ride to familiar frequented places. Routine is so important.
Humor
is almost always a positive way to cope with this situation. A fun way
of approaching the subject is to tell him how lucky he is to have his
own chauffeur!
However,
knowing when to take the keys out of his hands can become tricky. Here
are some warning signs that will help you make the decision:
- Car accidents
- Stopping in traffic for no apparent reason.
- Getting confused between the brake and the gas pedals
- Getting a ticket for moving violations
- Getting lost when places are familiar
- Getting agitated or irritated when they are driving
- Not anticipating dangerous situations
- Delayed responses to unexpected situations
- Driving at inappropriate speeds
- Incorrect signaling
- Getting confused at exists
- Switching into a wrong lane
If
some of the warning signs above are present, then it's time for family
members to gather and discuss the problem. Sometimes it is easier to be
together to face a difficult decision and intervene at an early stage
when signs of impairment are not yet critical
The
accident rate for drivers 85 years old and over is nine times higher
than drivers between ages 25 and 69. The primary care giver may perform
routine exams to assess the ability and skills of the patient and
conform to state and local restrictions and laws. If you are concerned
about your loved one's driving, take measures to keep him and others
safe on the road.
You may
find some additional information by finding a specialist in your area
and you can contact the Association for Driver Rehabilitation
Specialists (1-1131-290-2344), www.driver-ed.org. Your local Department of Motor Vehicles may also be able to help you on this subject.
William G. Hammond, JD is a nationally
known elder law attorney and founder of The Alzheimer’s Resource
Center. He is a frequent guest on radio and television and has
developed innovative solutions to guide families who have a loved one
suffering from Alzheimer’s. For more information you can visit his
website at http://www.beatalzheimers.com.
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