Safety at home

What is Driving and dementia?

Dementia eventually makes driving unsafe, and deciding when to stop is one of the hardest and most contested conversations a family has.

A diagnosis alone does not mean someone must stop immediately, but the illness progresses and the person's own judgement of their driving is affected. Warning signs include getting lost on familiar routes, slow reactions, new dents, and other drivers sounding horns.

Occupational therapy driving assessments give an independent verdict, which is often easier for a family than a personal one.

Why it matters

An independent assessment moves the decision off the family and onto a professional, which usually preserves the relationship.

Sources

Where to check this, and where to read more. All external and all authoritative.

Driving and dementia where you live

The local guide on this, for each city we cover.

Related terms

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