Alzheimer’s disease is a progressive disease. It slowly causes a person to lose the ability to remember, problem-solve, and make logical decisions. Because of that, most individuals diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease will lose their ability to independently use a vehicle for transportation, but that can be a hard bridge to cross.
Start the Conversation Now
If your loved one is recently diagnosed with dementia or Alzheimer’s disease and is still in the early stages of the disease, now is the time to start the conversation about the likelihood that sometime in the future, you may need to take her car keys away. This can be a hard conversation to have. No one enjoys hearing that they may lose a lifelong privilege.
The Benefits of Having a Conversation about Not Driving Early On
You might also be hesitant to have this conversation, knowing that it might be difficult and stressful. But having the first conversation now (because there will probably be more later) will help your loved one (and other family members) prepare emotionally and practically for this upcoming change. You can use this time to appeal to your loved one’s sense of responsibility to others on the road as well as discuss what alternatives she thinks she’ll feel most comfortable with when the time arrives.
Six Indicators That it’s Time for Your Loved One to Retire the Car Keys
You might already be in a situation where you are wondering if it is the time to have your elderly loved one with Alzheimer’s turn in her car keys. Determining if your loved one can no longer drive safely will take careful observation from you, other loved ones, and even her Alzheimer’s home care provider. Here are six key indicators to watch for:
- Taking longer to get from one place to another because she gets lost along the way or takes a route that isn’t logical.
- Forgetting where she’s going once she’s in the car.
- Ignoring traffic signs or street signs as she drives. Perhaps even ignoring speed limits by driving too slow or too fast in an area.
- New dents and scratches on the car that cannot be explained.
- Forgetting to use proper safety features of the car, such as lights, and seatbelts. She might even forget to turn off the car when she parks or lock it at night.
- An inability to react quickly enough when traffic patterns change such as a sudden stop or if someone cuts her off.
Alzheimer’s Care Providers can Assist with Transportation Needs
If your loved one needs to discontinue driving, you’ll need to work with her to find other means of transportation. Unfortunately, for Alzheimer’s patients, public transportation is not an option, and even using a car or taxi service can be frightening. Having a trusted person to help with transportation is usually the best way to transport your loved one. A trusted Alzheimer’s home care provider can assist with driving your loved one to daytime appointments, running errands, and visiting others. A familiar Alzheimer’s care professional can provide a friendly and safe face for your loved one to trust with her safety. They’ll be able to step in when you are not available to drive your loved one somewhere and provide you with the reassurance of your loved one’s care as well.
