A recent study conducted in South Texas has found that a majority of older adults with cognitive impairment are still driving, raising significant safety concerns. The study, conducted by researchers at the University of Michigan, assessed over 600 individuals aged 65 and older in Nueces County, Texas, who showed signs of cognitive impairment.
The study revealed that 61.4% of older adults with cognitive impairment were active drivers. While some individuals with mild impairment may still be able to safely drive, the study emphasizes that for others, driving may be inappropriate and pose safety risks.
The likelihood of driving decreased with the degree of cognitive impairment, regardless of ethnicity. The study also found that approximately 35% of caregivers expressed concerns about their care recipients’ ability to drive safely.
The findings highlight the importance of early and open conversations between patients, caregivers, and healthcare providers regarding safe driving practices. It is crucial for individuals with cognitive impairment and their caregivers to discuss these issues with their healthcare providers and consider on-the-road driving evaluations to ensure safety.
Cognitive impairment, including conditions like Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias, can affect neuropsychological and visual skills, reducing the ability to drive safely. A review conducted in 2017 found that dementia had a medium to large effect on driving impairment and increased the likelihood of failing a road test.
The researchers initially set out to study the driving prevalence of older Latino and non-Latino white adults but found no significant differences between the two populations. However, they observed that as cognitive impairment increased, the likelihood of driving decreased.
The discussions surrounding driving between caregivers and individuals with cognitive impairment can be challenging, as there may be concerns about the loss of autonomy and potential embarrassment. Additionally, when a person with cognitive impairment stops driving, it can increase the workload of caregivers.
Researchers recommend initiating these conversations earlier when the care recipient is still able to understand and actively participate in the discussion. They also suggest exploring Advance Driving Directives, which are agreements between aging individuals and their loved ones about having conversations regarding driving cessation.
The study’s authors include researchers from the University of Michigan and Texas A&M, Corpus Christi. The research was supported by the National Institute of Neurological Disorders & Stroke and the National Institute on Aging at the National Institutes of Health.
It is important to note that while the majority of older adults with cognitive impairment are still driving, despite concerns from caregivers, these findings call for further research into associations with current driving in cognitively impaired individuals.