Prepare to stop driving
Often stopping driving is one of the first losses you will deal with. Preparing yourself and those around you for this loss is key to handling this issue well.
In the early stages of dementia some people may continue to drive safely, others cannot. The following steps will help you prepare for the day you have to give up your keys:
- Talk – Many people feel angry or sad about having to stop driving. Discussing driving from the very beginning is important to handling this loss. Talk to your doctor, your caregivers, your family and friends. Let them know how you feel if giving up driving is going to be difficult for you.
- Assess – If you plan to continue driving, know that the illness may affect your ability to assess your own driving. Ask your family, friends and doctor to monitor your driving and to let you know when your driving abilities change. Your doctor can do a simple screening test and send you for a driving evaluation. A driving evaluation will let you know if it is time to stop driving.
- Plan – Plan for your retirement from driving. To ease the transition, plan for alternative ways to get around. Talk to your family and friends about driving you; and look at alternative transportation available to you. Try out the plan before you have to stop driving. This way you can see what works and what doesn’t before you need to rely on others. On The Move Without a Car will help you with your planning.