Canada’s population is aging and seniors represent the fastest growing population group in Canada. Based on population projections from Statistics Canada, Human Resources and Skills Development Canada reported that in 2011 there was an estimated 5 million Canadians over the age of 65 (2012). This population is on the rise and the number of seniors in Canada will reach 10.4 million by 2036. Using today’s licencing rates in Canada, it can be expected that over 4.6 million Canadians aged 65 or older will hold valid driver licences after 2021. This number will rise to 6 million by 2031..Today there is no single tool that can accurately identify an unfit driver with absolute certainty. In light of the expected increase in elderly drivers with cognitive impairments and dementia, efficient and effective screening for such impairment will become more important. Therefore, it is crucial to establish the most appropriate methods to assess cognitive impairment among elderly drivers. The objective of this project is to gather and analyse information to inform the selection of a cognitive screening tool or tools that can be used during Group Education Sessions (GESs) in Ontario. Ultimately, this tool can be used during GESs to discriminate between elderly drivers who require more extensive testing (i.e., an on-road examination), from elderly drivers who are fit to continue driving without further examination. (Author/publisher)
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