Driving Under the Influence...of Dementia (for Family Care Partners) 

The right to drive is earned during adolescence for most people. It has a variety of social and fiscal responsibilities associated with it and allows the person a high degree of autonomy and independence. The symptoms of dementia gradually erode the person’s capacity for safe and effective vehicle maintenance and driving.  This session will focus on early indicators of risk and highlight the importance of addressing concerns in proactive and healthy ways rather than avoiding the topic or creating high risk situations.

Objectives:

1. Discuss common symptoms of dementia that impact ability to drive safely and effectively in challenging situations as well as routine journeys.
2. Discuss the value of routine evaluation of ability combined with development of alternate plans for community mobility when dementia has been identified.
3. Compare various approaches to discussion and conversations related to driving.