Driving and Dementia: A Difficult Conversation
The driving and dementia conversation is a difficult one to have – for the person with dementia, for their family members and for the medical community. For those drivers who lose their licence, it comes after a devastating diagnosis which represents the beginning of a cascade of life changes – none of which are positive. According to Dr. Liliana Alvarez, a professor at Western who studies driving and medically at-risk older adults, the cessation of driving privileges can be linked to further depression and health decline of individuals. Alvarez says that research is showing that the problem is compounded by the lack of adequate supports and a formalized process that could make it easier and less socially and mentally impactful.