New guideline on when people with Alzheimer's disease should stop driving

April, 2010

The American Academy of Neurology has updated its guidelines on when people with dementia should stop driving. The guidelines support caregivers’ instincts, but not use of the patient’s own self-rating.

The American Academy of Neurology has updated its guidelines on when people with dementia should stop driving. While the guidelines point out that this decision is a complex one that should be made by a doctor using the Clinical Dementia Rating scale, they also supported caregivers’ instincts, which have been found to often be correct. For caregivers and family members, the following warning signs are identified:

Decreased miles being driven
Collisions
Moving violations
Avoiding certain driving situations, such as driving at night or in the rain
Aggressive or impulsive personality traits

However, the patient’s own self-rating, and a lack of situational avoidance, are not regarded as useful evidence.

http://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2010-04/aaon-aig033010.php

Reference:

[186] Iverson, D. J., Gronseth G. S., Reger M. A., Classen S., Dubinsky R. M., & Rizzo M.
(2010). Practice Parameter update: Evaluation and management of driving risk in dementia: Report of the Quality Standards Subcommittee of the American Academy of Neurology.
Neurology. 74(16), 1316 - 1324.

driving

seniors

Alzheimers

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