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Caregiver Tip Sheets
Driving
Over time, driving gets harder for people with Alzheimer’s or
dementia. At some point they will need to stop driving and this
can be very hard for them. It feels like a loss of freedom for both
drivers and family members, yet SAFETY is most important.
WHAT CAN YOU DO?
KEEP AN EYE OUT
• watch for parking or traffic tickets
• look for new scratches, marks, or dents on the car
WHY DOES • listen for complaints about other drivers or how the car operates
THIS HAPPEN?
HELP THEM STOP DRIVING
People with Alzheimer’s or • ask the doctor to tell them they can no longer drive
dementia may be unsafe
• make sure the doctor files a report to alert the Department
when they:
of Motor Vehicles (DMV) of the dementia diagnosis
• don’t follow traffic signs • have a close friend or a minister, priest, or rabbi ask your person
to stop driving
• go too fast or too slow
• tell them someone else will drive them to the store or appointments
• become angry at others in • ask others for help… deliver meals, pick up prescriptions, or just to visit
the car or other drivers
BE CREATIVE
• hit curbs
• hide the keys
• cross over lanes • park the car out of sight
• confuse the brake and • remove the battery or starter wire
gas pedals • say the car is in the shop
• get in the car first so you can be the driver
• forget where they are going
• give a set of keys that look like the old keys but won’t start the car
• get lost going places • make having someone else drive sound like fun
they know
FINALLY
• sell the car... it saves money on gas, insurance, and repairs that
can be used for taxis, Uber, LYFT, or paying someone to drive
844.HELP. ALZ
AlzheimersLA.org
© 2018 Alzheimer’s Los Angeles
Supported by DHHS, ACL (#90AL0002-01-00)
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