Citation

Adler G, Kuskowski M. Alzheimer Dis. Assoc. Disord. 2003; 17(2): 68-71.

Affiliation

Geriatric Research and Clinical Center, Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Minneapolis, Minnesota 55417, USA. adle0009@tc.umn.edu

Copyright

(Copyright © 2003, Lippincott Williams and Wilkins)

DOI

unavailable

PMID

12794382

Abstract

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.

Language: en