Driving with early Alzheimer's even riskier than first believed

Even with early dementia, research is now showing there's no safe time behind the wheel of a car.

"Alzheimer's disease affects memory and navigational skills. These impairments may lead to getting lost, which is a life-threatening problem. Family members and friends of individuals with dementia need to recognize these impairments as serious threats to safety for anyone who has dementia," Linda Hunt told HealthDay. She is an associate professor in the School of Occupational Therapy at Pacific University, Oregon, and author of a study published in the March-April issue of American Journal of Occupational Health.

The study focused on newspaper accounts of 207 Alzheimer's patients who went missing while driving. Thirty-two died, and 35 were found injured, according to the HealthDay article. Seventy had not been located at the time the data was analyzed. "Some had driven for almost two days and covered more than 1,700 miles while lost. Most had set off on routine trips to the post office, store or a relative's house," the article says.

Mom tried hiding the keys from Dad once it was clear he wasn't right. But of course one day he found them and took off in his car. She called me, fearful of what could happen. We weren't sure what to do. Would the police find him if we gave them the license plate number? Eventually Dad called saying he was at a gas station. Mom begged him to let her come get him, but he would have none of it. He said he would drive home. So again we fretted, waiting -- and were relieved beyond belief when he drove into his parking spot in the garage for what would be the last time.

Shortly after that, Dad's car went into the shop for repairs. It was gone for quite a long time. Long enough for him to get used to the idea that he could no longer drive.

Some of this advice from the National Safety Commission would not really apply to a person facing Alzheimer's or dementia, but some of it is useful if you're faced with taking the keys away from someone you love. This article -- "How to Determine Your Elderly Parent's Driving Ability" -- by Leonard Hansen at AgingCare.com may also be of help.