My Alzheimer's Journey
Part 48 - Driving With Alzheimer's Disease
It is very difficult to take driving privileges away from someone when they can no longer drive safely. Losing the ability to drive is seen as a major loss of independence, control, and identity. I recall the challenges Linda and I faced when my father could no longer drive safely. Even though we made arrangements for him to always have a car and driver available when he wanted to go somewhere, he still fought us to get car keys. At one point, we had to put a wheel boot lock on his car!
Taking away driving privileges is a common challenge for caregivers and loved ones of people suffering from Alzheimer’s and other types of dementia. It is also a very important action that must be addressed as the disease progresses.
Driving is unsafe due to problems with:
Judgment
Slowed reaction times
Multi-tasking
Impaired spatial skills
Focusing
I have decided to stop driving. My ability to focus and pay attention while driving is worsening. I certainly have slowed reaction times. Bottom line, I don’t feel confident in my ability to be a safe driver.
Making this decision at the early stage of my Alzheimer’s disease saves the stress of having my driving privileges taken away in the future. I don’t want to behave like my dad did!
This is not going to be a huge inconvenience for us. It will take a lot of adjustment, though. Thanks to Chapel Hill being a college town, there is a great free bus service with a stop at our apartment community. We have a shopping center about a five hundred feet from our community that has a grocery store, hardware store, coffee shop, movie theater, and a few restaurants. Less than a quarter of a mile away is a larger shopping center that has a better grocery store, a pet store, and a few restaurants.
Between walking, riding the bus, and Uber, I can get anywhere I need to go. Of course, Linda can drive on longer adventures and any out of town trips we take.
I am actually looking forward to taking advantage of the bus service and walking more. I will get more exercise, save money, and not be a danger on the roads.