Good drivers are alert, think clearly, and make good decisions. When people with Alzheimer’s disease are not able to do these things, they should stop driving. But some people may not want to stop driving or even think there is a problem.
As the caregiver, you must talk with the person about the need to stop driving. Do this in a caring way. Understand how unhappy the person may be to admit that he or she has reached this new stage.
Safety First
People with moderate to severe Alzheimer’s disease should never get behind the wheel. People with very mild Alzheimer’s may be able to drive safely in certain conditions. But as memory and decision-making skills worsen, they need to stop because a driver with dementia may not be able to react quickly when faced with a surprise on the road. Someone could get hurt or killed. If the person’s reaction time or ability to focus slows, you must stop the person from driving.
Signs that the person should stop driving include:
- New dents and scratches on the car
- Taking a long time to do a simple errand and not being able to explain why, which may indicate the person got lost
- Two or more traffic tickets or increased car insurance premiums
- Comments from friends and neighbors about driving
- Speeding or sudden lane changes
- Confusing the brake and gas pedals
- Recommendations from a doctor to modify driving habits
- Other health issues that may affect driving ability, such as changes in vision, hearing, or mobility.
- Driving safety infographic icon
- Read and share this infographic if you are worried about a loved one’s safety on the road.
- Some people with memory problems decide on their own not to drive, while others may deny they have a problem.
State laws vary regarding when a person with Alzheimer’s should stop driving. In some States, doctors are required to report to the State’s Department of Motor Vehicles whether a person has been diagnosed with Alzheimer’s or dementia. In others, anyone can report a potentially unsafe driver to the State. Check with your State’s Department of Motor Vehicles for more information. You may need to notify the person’s car insurance company, too.
It is a good idea to have the person’s driving skills assessed regularly by a professional. The American Occupational Therapy Association maintains a national database of driving specialists, or you can ask your State’s Department of Motor Vehicles or the person’s doctor to recommend someone who can test the person’s driving skills. Note that there may be fees associated with these types of assessments.
