Senior Citizens and Driving: Dementia – What if My Parent Forgets They Can’t Drive?

Are you worried that your elderly parent can no longer drive safely?  This series of articles tells you what you can do, including:

1. What the law says about elderly drivers.
2. The process and implications of reporting an unsafe elderly driver.
3. How driving skills are assessed for senior citizens.
4. Can my loved one improve their skills and regain their driver’s license?
5. How to talk to your elderly parent about driving.
6. Dementia – what if my parent forgets they can’t drive?
7. Life after driving

Dementia – What if My Parent Forgets They Can’t Drive?

Dementia and driving are a dangerous mix, and it becomes even more complicated if your elderly parent forgets they can’t drive.  The Alzheimer’s Association lists the following behaviors that may be signs that your parent should stop driving:

What if my parent forgets they can't drive?

• Forgetting how to locate familiar places
• Failing to observe traffic signals
• Making slow or poor decisions
• Driving at inappropriate speeds
• Becoming angry and confused while driving
• Hitting curbs
• Using poor lane control
• Making errors at intersections
• Confusing the brake and gas pedals
• Returning from a routine drive later than usual. The person may be wandering and getting lost in the car.

If a loved one with dementia insists on driving, you may be forced to hide the keys, keep the car out of sight, or disable the car by removing the distributer cap or the battery.

The Alzheimer’s Association also suggests the following steps:

• Assure the person that a ride will be available if he or she needs to go somewhere. Have a list of contacts that can provide transportation, such as family members, friends, taxis or community transportation services.
• Have prescription medicines, groceries or meals delivered, reducing the person’s need to drive.
• Have the person tested by the Department of Motor Vehicles.

If your loved one is getting lost, consider enrolling them in MedicAlert + Safe Return.

Next article in this series on Elderly Parents and Driving:  “Life After Driving.”

Entire series on Senior Citizens and Driving:

1. What the law says about elderly drivers.
2. The process and implications of reporting an unsafe elderly driver.
3. How driving skills are assessed for senior citizens.
4. Can my loved one improve their skills and regain their driver’s license?
5. How to talk to your elderly parent about driving.
6. Dementia – what if my parent forgets they can’t drive?
7. Life after driving.