WASHINGTON — Taking the car keys away from an aging parent or spouse whose mental faculties are slipping is one of the most difficult decisions a loved one confronts. But sometimes, it must be done.
The American Academy of Neurology has just issued new practice parameters for physicians that take account of the most recent findings on cognitive impairment and driving.
Among patients who have recently been diagnosed with mild dementia, 76 percent can still pass an on-road driving test. Clearly, some patients with mild dementia can continue for some time to drive safely, but not all. The stakes for guessing which ones should not are high.
The academy recommends that, beyond a patient’s performance on a mini-mental-state exam, a physician should also consider, among other things, the patient’s past driving record and his or her level of aggressiveness and impulsiveness.
Recent research suggests that caregivers routinely overestimate the driving performance of a loved one with dementia.
There are no proven interventions — classes, medications, strategies — that can reduce driving risk for those with dementia.
