Getting diagnosed with Alzheimer’s triggers a sequence of worries, one of which is how safe driving with dementia is. However, while getting dementia is never good news, it doesn’t necessarily spell the end of one’s journey behind the steering wheel.
At first, individuals still in the mild stage of the condition can still use their cognitive functions, including operating a steering wheel. However, as time goes on, this condition progresses, and all cognitive functions, spatial orientation, and memory begin to fail. As a result, the days spent cruising the streets are numbered.
And it is at this point that family members and loved ones must intervene. While some will give up the hobby at once, others won’t fancy losing that sense of self-reliance. As a result, they’ll insist on the act and, without proper care, endanger themselves and other drivers.
Putting Safety First
So, are there any safe tricks for driving with dementia? As a caregiver, you must clarify to anyone with Alzheimer’s just how risky driving is. Also, people with this diagnosis should have their car handling skills evaluated, no matter how mild the diagnosis is.
As a caregiver, you’ll need to make the individual with Alzheimer’s understand when it’s time to let go of the wheels. It would help if you were gentle with them and sympathized with their disappointment. As their decision-making skills depreciate, their on-road reaction slows, and the risks greatly increase.
Signs To Look Out For
One of the difficulties associated with driving with dementia is knowing when an individual should stop. The progression of Alzheimer’s condition varies among individuals and, as such, isn’t very easy to identify. However, there are some signs you can monitor.
These signs include behavioral patterns exhibited by individuals with Alzheimer’s. You should assess their level of functioning in normal life settings. That will allow you to decide if such an individual should keep driving with dementia.
The signs to observe include the following:
- Reduced coordination, especially when operating the wheels, pedals, and gear.
- Poor judgment of the road and distance
- Slow information processing and decision-making
- Slow reaction speeds on the go
- Irregularities in speeds and lane changes
- Dents and scratches on the car
- Long response time to simple errands
- Getting lost or confused in familiar surroundings
- Recurrent mood swings, memory loss, irritability, and confusion
- Difficulty with multitasking
Knowing When to Stop
It’s one thing to monitor any individual driving with dementia and another to decide when they should stop. Remember that this condition progresses with time; therefore, you should supervise any individual with Alzheimer’s and know when to persuade them to stop.
Cases that call for an immediate halt to driving with dementia include:
- Accidents or “close shaves” with other drivers or pedestrians.
- Falling asleep.
- Getting lost along familiar routes.
- Stopping along the road abruptly.
- Ignoring traffic signs and signals.
These are all signs that confirm the need to put a stop to an individual from driving with dementia. So, how do you ensure they never drive again? Some individuals won’t conform easily. For such individuals, you’ll need to do more than persuade them.
You can ask a doctor to make it a prescription not to drive. Of course, they wouldn’t want to go against the doctor’s orders. Also, you can hide the car keys to prevent them from going on joy rides when you’re not around.
Time To Switch Transportation Method
Once driving with dementia becomes impossible, it’s time to change how they commute. There are various options. For instance, family and friends can transport individuals with Alzheimer’s. In the same vein, you can arrange for taxis and other forms of public transportation. These are all safe alternatives to driving with dementia.
Conclusion
As a caregiver for any individual with Alzheimer’s, you should monitor and assist in their day-to-day activities. You should pay serious attention to activities that require coordination and cognitive function. Taking a car for a ride is an example of such activity; thus, care should be taken to ensure that these individuals are safe driving with dementia.