Older adult drivers with cognitive impairment.

Author(s)
Carr, D.B. Duchek, J.M. Meuser, T.M. & Morris, J.C.
Year
Abstract

As the number of drivers with cognitive impairment increases, family physicians are more likely to become involved in decisions about cessation of driving privileges in older patients. Physicians who care for cognitively impaired older adults should routinely ask about driving status. In patients who continue to drive, physicians should assess pertinent cognitive domains, determine the severity and etiology of the dementia, and screen for risky driving behaviors. Cognitive impairment detected by office-based tests may indicate that the patient is at risk of a motor vehicle crash. Referral for performance-based road testing may further clarify risk and assist in making driving recommendations. Physicians should assist families in the difficult process of driving cessation, including providing information about Web sites and other resources and clarifying the appropriate state regulations. Some states require reporting of specific medical conditions to their departments of motor vehicles. (Author/publisher) A handout on driving and dementia, written by the authors of this article, is provided on page 1035: http://www.aafp.org/afp/20060315/1035ph.html

Request publication

3 + 3 =
Solve this simple math problem and enter the result. E.g. for 1+3, enter 4.

Publication

Library number
C 35789 [electronic version only]
Source

American Family Physician, Vol. 73 (2006), No. 6 (March 15), p. 1029-1034, 27 ref.

Our collection

This publication is one of our other publications, and part of our extensive collection of road safety literature, that also includes the SWOV publications.