Driving

The 29 sources listed below are each rated on how they can help caregivers better understand and manage the issue of driving in people with Alzheimer's disease or dementia.

Sources are ranked from highest to lowest.
ALZSmart Score™ - Extraordinary95%

The Hartford

Geo Location: All

ALZSmart Review™ - Summary of Contents

[PDF - 26 Pages]  Comprehensive guide that provides suggestions for monitoring, limiting and stopping driving. The information incorporates the experiences of family caregivers and people with dementia, as well as suggestions from experts in medicine, gerontology and transportation.
At The Crossroads:  Family Conversations about Alzheimer’s Disease, Dementia & Driving
ALZSmart Score™ - Extraordinary90%

Alzheimer Society Canada

Geo Location: All (CA)

ALZSmart Review™ - Summary of Contents

[PDF - 6 Pages]  Describes issues to consider when thinking about driving cessation.  Has strategies to help the person plan ahead for when driving is no longer considered safe.  Information about driving assessment.  Strategies to help caregivers, people with dementia and healthcare providers have conversations about driving cessation.  Also has a list of useful recourses.
Conversations About Dementia and Driving
ALZSmart Score™ - Very Good75%

Alzheimer's Association

Geo Location: All

ALZSmart Review™ - Summary of Contents

Has 6 suggestions for starting the stop driving conversation.  5 bullet points on when the conversation does not go well.  4 tips for planning ahead.  4 bullet points on other transportation options.  11 warning signs of unsafe driving.
Dementia and Driving
ALZSmart Score™ - Very Good75%

Family Caregiver Alliance

Geo Location: All (US)

ALZSmart Review™ - Summary of Contents

Lists 10 signs that a person with Alzheimer's no longer has the necessary skills to drive safely.  Explains how to arrange for an independent driving evaluation.  13 common warning signs driving skills may have decreased significantly.
Dementia and Driving
ALZSmart Score™ - Very Good75%

UCLA Alzheimer's and Dementia Program

Geo Location: All

ALZSmart Review™ - Summary of Contents

[Video 3:14]  Examines the issue of 'stop driving' by looking at several key questions.  Shows the consequences of this issue by using the example of a caregiver son and his mom.
Driving
ALZSmart Score™ - Very Good70%

Alzheimer's Association

Geo Location: All

ALZSmart Review™ - Summary of Contents

[Video 6:24]  This is the 1st in a series of 4 videos on driving.  Explains how to frame the stop driving conversation.  Scenario:  "Frank has early-stage Alzheimer's, and the doctor said it's no longer safe for him to drive. His wife doesn't drive but knows it's time to discuss finding alternative transportation."
Supportive Conversation
ALZSmart Score™ - Very Good70%

Alzheimer's Association

Geo Location: All

ALZSmart Review™ - Summary of Contents

[Video 5:58]  This is the 2nd in a series of 4 videos on driving.  Offers tips on how to have the stop driving conversation.  Scenario:  "Cindy lives out-of-state and is visiting her mom, Renee, who's had some fender-benders. Cindy talks with her mom about having her driving evaluated and other options to get around town."
A Bump in the Road
ALZSmart Score™ - Very Good70%

Alzheimer's Association

Geo Location: All

ALZSmart Review™ - Summary of Contents

[Video 6:05]   This is the 3rd in a series of 4 videos on driving.  Describes ways to plan ahead of time to stop driving.  Scenario:  "Janet is in the early stages of younger-onset Alzheimer's. She's doing well now, but realizes that eventually she'll have to stop driving. She talks with her family about a plan for the future."
A Plan in Place
ALZSmart Score™ - Very Good70%

Alzheimer's Association

Geo Location: All

ALZSmart Review™ - Summary of Contents

[Video 5:35]   This is the 4th in a series of 4 videos on driving.  Illustrates how to have the stop driving conversation when prompted by an urgent event.  Scenario:  "Martin has early stage Alzheimer's and hit a parked school bus today. No one was seriously hurt, but his partner, Dan, recognizes that Martin must stop driving — for everyone's safety and well-being."
A Close Call
ALZSmart Score™ - Very Good70%

Alzheimer’s Research Association

Geo Location: All

ALZSmart Review™ - Summary of Contents

Lists 11 signs of unsafe driving.  Knowing when to take the car keys away.  How to start the conversation and when the conversation does not go well.  Has 4 tips for planning ahead.  5 emotional issues related to relinquishing the car keys.  Plus 5 practical issues.
Driving
ALZSmart Score™ - Very Good70%

brainXchange

Dr. Isabelle Gélinas, Associate Professor and Director of Graduate Studies in the School of Physical and Occupational Therapy

Geo Location: All (CA)

ALZSmart Review™ - Summary of Contents

[Video 1:06:04]  In-depth webinar that was designed for medical professionals and is packed full of statistical, analytical, and practical information.  This presentation focuses how Alzheimer’s disease or dementia effects the ability to drive and on the evaluation process to assess fitness-to-drive.
Driving and Dementia
ALZSmart Score™ - Good65%

Dementia Care Central (National Institute on Aging)

Geo Location: All (US)

ALZSmart Review™ - Summary of Contents

Reviews 5 safety issues and 6 warning signs.  Provides answers to the question:  Can you drive legally with Alzheimer’s or dementia?  Has 4 suggestion for cargivers.  Explores 6 transportation options for persons with dementia.
Safety Issues of Persons with Dementia Behind the Wheel and Other Options for Getting Around
ALZSmart Score™ - Good65%

The 36-Hour Day (6th Edition)

Nancy L. Mace, MA and Peter V. Rabins, MD, MPH

Pages 56-60

Geo Location: All

ALZSmart Review™ - Summary of Contents

Lists 7 skills that are needed to drive safely and evaluate whether a person with dementia still has these skills.  Has warnings sign to look for.  Describes how to have a conversation on stopping driving; includes an example.  Also has information about using doctors or the DMV as a last resort.
The 36-Hour Day (6th Edition)
ALZSmart Score™ - Good65%

Ahead of Dementia

Luciana Mitzkun

Pages 143-151

Geo Location: All

ALZSmart Review™ - Summary of Contents

Begins with a worst cases example of elder driving.  Reviews driving safety and the elderly.  Lists 10 health issues that affect the driver's skills.  17 unsafe dring behaviors to watch for.  Explains how to stop driving recognizing the emotional factors and using the DARE strategy. 10 tips on driving and dementia.
Ahead of Dementia
ALZSmart Score™ - Good65%

Dementia Australia

Geo Location: All (AU)

ALZSmart Review™ - Summary of Contents

Begins with licensing requirements in Australia.  Has 13 signs that dementia may be affecting a person’s driving.  Offers 10 suggestions for when and how to raise concerns about driving.  Also has 6 things you can try as alternatives to driving.
Dementia and Driving
ALZSmart Score™ - Good60%

Being Patient

Geo Location: All

ALZSmart Review™ - Summary of Contents

Explores 6 of the biggest indicators that your loved one’s dementia is a road hazard and it’s time to take the keys.
Driving With Dementia: 6 Dangerous Signs It’s Time to Step In
ALZSmart Score™ - Good60%

Thoughtful Dementia Care: Understanding the Dementia Experience

Jennifer Ghent-Fuller

Pages 131-134

Geo Location: All

ALZSmart Review™ - Summary of Contents

Discusses alternatives to driving.  Looks at each aspect of driving that's effected by the disease.  Looks a planning and strategies to cope with refusing to stop driving.
Thoughtful Dementia Care:  Understanding the Dementia Experience
ALZSmart Score™ - Good60%

The Alzheimer's Disease Caregiver's Handbook

Sally Willard Burbank, MD and Sue Pace Bell

Pages 218-221

Geo Location: All

ALZSmart Review™ - Summary of Contents

Lists 9 signs that driving privilege must be revoked. Has 7 strategies you can try, if you can't reason with the person to stop driving.  Using long car rides in lieu of driving.  Plus transportation options.
The Alzheimer's Disease Caregiver's Handbook
ALZSmart Score™ - Average55%

Mayo Clinic

Geo Location: All

ALZSmart Review™ - Summary of Contents

Has 45 tips on how to start a conversation about stopping driving.  Discusses making the transition and lists 5 alternatives to driving.  Provides a list of 9 signs of unsafe driving.  Also has 3 last-resort preventive strategies.
Alzheimer's and Dementia: When to Stop Driving
ALZSmart Score™ - Average55%

Aging Care

Cindy Laverty

Geo Location: All

ALZSmart Review™ - Summary of Contents

Addresses safety issues as Alzheimer's disease progresses and unsafe driving.  Recognizes that dementia, wandering, and driving are a dangerous mix.  Looks at 5 statistical patterns of Silver Alerts.  Explains how to take away the car keys.
Should Someone with Dementia Be Driving?
ALZSmart Score™ - Average45%

National Institute on Aging (ADEAR)

Geo Location: All (US)

ALZSmart Review™ - Summary of Contents

Discusses memory loss and driving safely.  Has 4 ways to stop people with Alzheimer's disease from driving.  Finding other transportation options.  Also has an embedded video [1:32] on Alzheiimer's and driving.
Driving Safety and Alzheimer's Disease
ALZSmart Score™ - Average45%

Alzheimer Society Canada

Geo Location: All (CA)

ALZSmart Review™ - Summary of Contents

Has 12 warning signs of unsafe driving.  5 bullet points showing that a caregiver is not alone.
Driving and Dementia Tip Sheet
ALZSmart Score™ - Average45%

Alzheimer's Disease and Other Dementias: The Caregiver's Complete Survival Guide

Nataly Rubinstein, MSW, LCSW, C-ASWCM

Pages 316-319

Geo Location: All

ALZSmart Review™ - Summary of Contents

General discussion of driving and dementia.
Alzheimer's Disease and Other Dementias:  The Caregiver's Complete Survival Guide
ALZSmart Score™ - Satisfactory35%

Aging Care

Marlo Sollitto 

Geo Location: All

ALZSmart Review™ - Summary of Contents

Lists 20 warning signs of unsafe driving for elderly drivers.
20 Warning Signs That an Elderly Driver is No Longer Safe Behind the Wheel
ALZSmart Score™ - Satisfactory35%

The Hartford

Geo Location: All

ALZSmart Review™ - Summary of Contents

Discusses dementia and driving.  Looks at 5 changes in persons with dementia.  Also, how the stop driving decision may impact family relationships.
Dementia & Driving
ALZSmart Score™ - Satisfactory30%

Crisis Prevention Institute

Sharon Host & Chris Ebell

Geo Location: All

ALZSmart Review™ - Summary of Contents

Explores how dementia affects driving.  Has 3 recommendations, if you have to take driving privileges away.
Dementia and Driving
ALZSmart Score™ - Driving and Dementia25%

Alzheimer's Foundation of America

Geo Location: All

ALZSmart Review™ - Summary of Contents

Has 4 tips on how to start the conversation.  Lists 4 signs of what to watch for.
Driving and Dementia
ALZSmart Score™ - Satisfactory25%

Today's Caregiver

Geo Location: All

ALZSmart Review™ - Summary of Contents

Has 11 tips from the Alzheimer’s Association that it may be time to stop driving.
Tips: Is It Time to Stop Driving?
ALZSmart Score™ - Satisfactory25%

HelpforAlzheimersFamilies.com (aka Home Instead Senior Care)

Geo Location: All

ALZSmart Review™ - Summary of Contents

Provides 5 tips may be helpful to you when it’s time to talk to a family member about driving and dementia.
How Do I Talk to Dad About His Dementia and Driving?

Copyright © ALZSmart 2020. All Rights Reserved.

Press enter to search
Press enter to search

We Make You Alzheimer's Smart!

We help Alzheimer's caregivers connect with the knowledge they need to thrive. 

Located in Seattle, WA

Founder's Words

I know how tough this can get ...

Nobody is ever fully prepared to care for their loved one with Alzheimer’s.

You make a commitment to be their caregiver ... but as the disease progresses sometimes things just spiral out of your control.  We can fix that.

ALZSmart can restore your peace-of-mind by empowering you with the ability to find solutions to your problems.

We think ALZSmart can make your caregiving experience one of the most rewarding chapters in your life.

Keith M. Glein

Get Connected