When someone is first diagnosed with dementia, they may still have the cognitive ability to drive. However, because of dementia, this cognitive ability will continue to decline, likely resulting in the need for you or your loved one to stop driving.
Here are Ten Warning Signs that it is Time to Stop Driving.
1. Unexplained new bumps or dents in the car. (Or on fences, mailboxes, and garage doors.)
2. Almost crashing, with frequent “close calls.”
3. Getting lost, especially in a familiar location, or taking longer than usual in a typical location.
4. Confusing the brake and gas pedal or having trouble moving your foot between these two.
5. Having difficulty turning around to check the rearview while also backing up.
6. More easily becoming angry or confused while driving, or routinely taking actions that result in other drivers honking at you.
7. Failing to observe traffic signs properly, such as running red lights or stop signs.
8. Misjudging gaps in traffic at intersections, highway entrance, and exit ramps and getting too close to other cars.
9. Easily becoming distracted or having difficulty concentrating while driving.
10. Receiving multiple tickets or traffic warnings from law enforcement officers.
(Source: American Association of Retired Persons)
It’s better to be a safe and responsible driver instead of a dangerous one that causes harm to yourself or others. If you exhibit these signs, it is likely time to stop driving. If your loved one is showing these signs, please talk to them about their need to stop driving. This conversation may be a difficult one to have, but an essential one – both for their safety as well as the safety of others.
The American Association of Retired Persons (AARP) has a free video to help you have this conversation with a loved one. (To get more information, please click here to read our article about this AARP video.) This video named “We Need to Talk” offers helpful guidance and suggestions.
Speak with an Elder Law Attorney
Properly helping a loved one with dementia can seem daunting, especially when planning for the future and other legal matters. Our law firm helps families with elder law planning, special needs planning, general estate planning and probate matters. Free 15-minute consultations are available. Set up a free 15-minute consultation with one of our attorneys to to discuss your planning needs.
Thanks to Therese Shuffer for writing this helpful series of blog posts.
