Dementia and Driving Workshop | Whittier Hospital
Dementia and Driving Workshop
On June 8th, our owner, Vernon Atwood, and Debbie Ricker, OTR/L, DRS from The Adaptive Driving Center presented an important workshop at Whittier Hospital for seniors and their loved ones. Its focus was to educate why it's not safe for anyone diagnosed with dementia to drive.
When a person is diagnosed with Dementia, they should not be driving. Debbie presented many reasons why this is true. Also, since Dementia symptoms are tied to many medical conditions that especially affect the older population, and the older population is (thanks to the baby boomer generation) is growing at a very rapid pace. Over 10,000 people turn 65 every day in the US! Here are some interesting facts:
- There are over 5.3 million Americans living with dementia
- Estimates are that 30-40% still drive
- By mid-disease the risk of having an accident while driving is higher than any other driving situation.
- More motor vehicle accidents (MVAs) with dementia involved are deadly or result in serious injuries
So why do so many people drive with Dementia?
Here are some of the reasons discussed:
- In America, and especially where there is little or no public transportion, driving is our freedom!
- Debbie has done research which showed that doctors surveyed were aware that when they diagnose someone with Dementia, they are mandatory reporters to the Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV). However, on the same survey, doctors mention that they rarely report dementia cases to the DMV. Why? It is hard to tell. However a couple of doctors, when interviewed, said, “they did not want to ruin the patients life”!!
Other reasons why people still drive with Dementia:
- Many older adults live farther and farther from their children, and so they are not held accountable. Surveys show that the distance adults 60 and above, live from their nearest child is 280 miles!
- Children living near their parents want to make their parents happy and try to give them as much choice in their life as possible. This is good but when it comes to Dementia, family members truly need to find alternatives to the parent driving, after they are diagnosed with Dementia.
Most of us take for granted all of the multi-tasking that goes on when we drive. Besides keeping our eyes looking ahead, we need to monitor our speed, we need to know who is to our left and right and behind us. We need to monitor our mirrors and when changing lanes, we need to turn around. We also, need to monitor our controls, etc. So what goes wrong with people diagnosed with Dementia?
Aging and changes that could affect Driving (even without dementia diagnosis)
First of all as we get older, even without Dementia, Debbie showed us that the following changes:
- Ability to focus on close up objects declines
- Ability to switch from near to far decreases
- Peripheral vision declines
- Pupil reaction time declines
- Most people have arthritis-affects accuracy with steering wheel, vehicle handles and controls
- Back and neck pain
- Loss of high frequency sounds
- Dividing attention
- Slower processing of signals in brain
- Sensory perception becomes weaker
- Brain needs more information to make a decision
Driving and the Brain functions affected by Dementia
To make matters worse, the following is affected, as diseases like Alzheimer’s Disease, change the way the brain functions. Anyone who has been diagnosed with Dementia symptoms could have the following abilities affected:
- Short term memory
- Abstract reasoning - own car vs. test car, planning turns and lane changes
- Judgement - won't self regulate
- Reaction time
- Executive functions - problem solving, making decisions, reaction time, searching for new addresses, planning
- Depth perception
- Visual processing skills
Need a Driving Assessment for Your Loved One?
Contact Debbie Ricker, OTR/L, DRS 562-760-1400 or email at DbRckr@gmail.com
How can Right at Home help?
Here are Right at Home Northwest Orange County, we are here to help. We can drive people to anywhere they want to go
You only need to call our 24/7 number (714-249-4843) and we will arrange a ride
