| Alzheimer's
Disease & Driving When Is It Not Safe? |
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(Page 3) Slowed Responses Another area that can effect the safe driving of a vehicle is that of slowed responses and reaction time. As Alzheimer's disease progressives the person's ability to respond quickly to various stimuli in the environment becomes diminished. Weather conditions and the need to adjust driving patterns such as breaking distances and driving speed can be effected by delayed response times. The ability to interpret information is also affected with Alzheimer's disease. As drivers we respond to a lot of external stimuli in the environment that is either recognized through our sight or through our hearing abilities. The aging process alone brings about changes in both our visual capabilities as well as hearing. More often then not these impairments can be adequately addressed through the use of glasses, surgical procedures or hearing aids. Due to the intellectual decline of a person with Alzheimer's disease they are likely to have even more difficulty processing both visual and hearing stimuli. Safety related sounds such as car horns, emergency sirens, or train whistles may go undetected placing the occupant and others at risk of an accident. The person may also have difficulty overcoming and compensating for lost peripheral vision and depth perception. This can effect the safe driving distance one adheres to when following behind another vehicle. Another area that may become impaired is the person's ability to proactively look ahead for possible signs of congestion or road hazards. Independence versus Safety One of the difficult issues that caregivers attempt to balance in making a decision whether a person continues to drive or not, is the personal safety and independence of the person versus the general safety of the community. Another factor is the perceived role that the caregiver plays in making this decision. Experience has taught me that caregivers are unlikely to act quickly if they feel that their loved one will exhibit hostility and anger towards them. This "bad guy" role can often force a caregiver to deny or procrastinate in their decision to restrict privileges. If your decision to restrict driving privileges is uncertain or difficult, caregivers may want to consider either contacting the Transportation Cabinet or asking their family Physician to intervene. Most often physicians can play an instrumental role in taking away driving privileges while at the same time taking the blame for this tough decision. You may also want to solicit the support of other family members or close friends that could possibly influence the person to stop driving. Remember, if all else fails when trying to stop your loved one from driving you may want to consider the following:
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