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BETTER UNDERSTANDING DEMEMTIA |
Will I be allowed to continue driving if I have dementia?
This is a commonly asked question and one that puts people off from getting a diagnosis in the first place as they fear the answer will be ‘No'.
At some point
A dementia diagnosis does not necessarily mean the automatic removal of your driver's licence.
However, it does mean that you will have to stop driving at some point, depending on how your dementia is affecting you.
According to Alzheimer's New Zealand, having difficulty finding your way around, remembering which way to turn, judging the speed of other cars and the distance from other cars and objects, hand-eye coordination, and reaction times can all be caused by dementia and affect your ability to drive.
When...
As with other big health changes, your ability to drive may be part of your GP and medical specialists ongoing review. As we age, it's normal to stop driving at some point. The hard decision is when.
Many people give up their licence voluntarily.
Others have to do it on a health professional's recommendation. Either way, it's a hard decision to make and often feels quite overwhelming. Try to ensure that you still keep doing the things you love by asking others for a lift, or taking taxis or buses – both of which are heavily subsidised with your SuperGold card or by the Bay of Plenty Regional Council.
If you're worried about your own or someone else's ability to drive safely because of dementia, give me a call and we can talk through how to approach this.
Ruth Thomas, lead specialist care manager, EnlivenPlus. Phone: 07 547 4349.
