Dealing With Difficult Situations
Driving Concerns
Telling someone with Alzheimer's disease that driving is no longer safe can be a hard task. For many adults, driving means independence and the ability to be self-reliant. Your loved one may get upset and resist giving up driving. But, safety must be the priority. Ask your loved one's doctor if you have concerns.
Look for clues that safe driving is no longer possible. Ask family and friends to pay attention as well. Clues may include:
- Getting lost in familiar places
- Driving too fast or too slow
- Ignoring traffic signs
- Getting too angry or upset by traffic
You should be aware of your loved one's feelings about no longer driving. But, it's important to be firm in your request that they no longer do so. Be sure other family and friends know that your loved one should not drive. And make your decision final. Don't allow driving on “good” days, but forbid it on “bad” days.
If your loved one refuses to give up driving at your request, see if the doctor has ideas that may help. Sometimes, patients accept a doctor’s authority more readily than a caregiver’s request. In some states, a doctor can contact the Department of Motor Vehicles and request that a patient be reevaluated. But, laws about driver’s license requirements are not the same from state to state.
You may need to take away the car keys or disable the car. Or, move the car to a location where your loved one can't see or gain access to it.