How to Stop Someone with Dementia from Driving: A Compassionate Approach
According to the Federal Highway Administration, 21.8 percent of drivers are seniors. Drivers older than 70 have higher crash rates than those younger than them, and many of them die in these traffic accidents.
One major factor that contributes to the higher number of accidents is brain health. At best, seniors will suffer some mental deficits due to things like their reaction time and poor judgment. However, there are also seniors driving around with dementia or other worsening conditions.
Here's how to stop someone with dementia driving and get them the help they need.
Why Senior Driving Safety Is Important
It's important to understand why good driving habits are important on the road. There are numerous obstacles to consider, such as:
- Pedestrians
- Other vehicles
- Curbs and cones
- Small structures
- Buildings
A collision with any of these obstacles could lead to major collision damage or even loss of life. Even if someone you know is a good driver, most of the time, a terrible event could happen when they're not at their best.
Unfortunately, it may be difficult to notice when a senior's driving abilities have declined to a point where they need to give up that privilege.
Signs That Driving Is No Longer Safe
There are a few signs to keep an eye out for to determine if a senior family member is still okay to drive. Some problems you might see include:
- Memory loss and confusion
- Poor judgment
- Decreased reaction time
- Increased accidents or near misses
- Disorientation and wandering
- Inability to follow traffic rules
A senior might forget familiar routes or make wrong turns. They could make riskier decisions. A senior's reaction time will also decrease with age, which makes it difficult to account for other bad drivers.
Dementia and driving is one of the worst combinations. In the early stages, a person with dementia may have the capability to drive short distances.
However, it can advance fast. Unless you live with that person or see them every day, it's all too easy for them to get to a point where they are not safe to drive and yet still have access to their vehicle.
How to Stop Someone With Dementia Driving
Convincing a senior to stop driving isn't as simple as telling them to stay off the road. If it's someone you respect, then you need to speak to them on familiar terms.
Someone stubborn will fight you on your point unless you make it very clear why you're right. They might also become frustrated or deny your claims.
Choose the Right Time and Setting
The first step is to find the right time and setting for this discussion. Pick a calm, private setting where the person feels safe and comfortable. Avoid times of frustration or stress.
Discussing this topic with friends or family around may create some tension, depending on the group. If the people they know tend to speak over one another or are very opinionated, try to keep them out of the initial conversation.
Express Concern With Empathy
Use "I" statements to express concern without blaming or criticizing. Tell them how you feel bout their safety and the safety of others on the road.
Do not tell them that they're a danger or that they're a problem. However, you may want to bring up instances where they've made poor decisions on the road or frightened their passengers.
Involve a Trusted Authority Figure
It can help a lot if you involve a trusted authority figure, such as a doctor or an occupational therapist. Even a family friend can have more influence in persuading them to stop driving.
The idea is that the person with dementia trusts these people to give them advice. They may not trust you nearly as much, even if you're a caregiver.
Suggest Alternative Transportation Offers
Taking away the ability to drive can make a person feel less independent and increase their depression. Suggest alternative ways to get around town, such as rides from family and friends or senior transportation services. You can even arrange rides through apps like Uber or Lyft.
Acknowledge Their Feelings
The best caregiver guidance is to acknowledge a senior's feelings. Even if giving up their vehicle and driver's license is the safest option for everyone, it's still a difficult thing to give up. Many of these people have been driving for decades at this point.
Give them the time and space they need to process this major change in their lives.
Take Practical Steps
If the individual with dementia continues to resist giving up driving, then you'll have to take necessary measures to stop them. The best options at this point are:
- Disable or remove the car entirely
- Gradually reduce driving opportunities
- Obtain a medical evaluation
- Notify the DMV of unsafe driving behavior
Another good choice is to look into an assisted living community. These communities often have everything a senior could need, which removes the reason to drive anywhere.
Alternate Transportation Options
There are plenty of elderly mobility solutions available for those unable to drive themselves.
Senior transportation services include paratransit, which uses vehicles equipped or wheelchairs and can pick up passengers at their homes. Riders may need to qualify under the Americans with Disabilities Act.
Public transit is a good default option if your area has a good system already set up. However, some areas have poor public transportation or limited access.
Non-emergency medical transportation is a reliable option if a person needs a ride to their doctor's office. They could also use private ride services, which may cost less.
If a senior living in an assisted living community or memory care, they should have access to whatever amenities they need. Anything else is often provided upon request.
Keep Seniors Safe Off the Road
It's important to know how to stop someone with dementia driving, especially if you have aging parents or grandparents in your life. Not everyone is willing to give up something like that, especially if they love to drive. However, it can save their lives and keep the roads safer.
Loma Clara is a premier senior living community located in Morgan Hill, California. Our residents have access to a wide variety of amenities and living options, including memory care. Contact us for more information or to arrange a visit.