Driving cessation in older men with dementia.
The process of driving cessation was studied in a group of older men with dementia. During the initial phase of the project, 53 drivers with dementia provided information about their driving history, driving habits, and expectations about driving cessation. A collateral for each patient completed a similar questionnaire providing corroborating information about the patient's driving. Collaterals were contacted 25-39 months later to gather information about patients' current driving habits. Twenty patients (46.5%) continued to drive almost 5 days per week. Twenty-three subjects (53.5%) were no longer driving at follow-up. The decision to stop driving was frequently abrupt and often made in response to a physician recommendation. Using logistic regression analyses, lower Mini-Mental State Examination scores (p = 0.02) and increased age (p = 0.02) at baseline were shown to be significant predictors of driving cessation. Findings indicate that an unexpected number of men with dementia continue to drive for several years after disease onset.
Adler
Geri
G
Geriatric Research and Clinical Center, Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Minneapolis, Minnesota 55417, USA. adle0009@tc.umn.edu
Kuskowski
Michael
M
D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000375:Aging / Q000523:psychology*; D001334:Automobile Driving; D003657:Decision Making; D003704:Dementia / Q000150:complications*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008609:Mental Status Schedule; D008875:Middle Aged; D013647:Task Performance and Analysis