Every 70 seconds, someone develops Alzheimer’s disease.¹ In conjunction with National Older Driver Safety Awareness Week, Dec. 6-12, leading researchers are joining forces to encourage families to talk openly with loved ones about driving as soon as they are diagnosed with a form of dementia.
Since 2005, The Hartford Financial Services Group (NYSE: HIG), the MIT AgeLab and the Boston University School of Medicine’s Alzheimer’s Disease Clinical and Research Program have collaborated on research to help caregivers cope with issues they face related to dementia and driving.
“Asking a person to reduce or stop driving can be a delicate, highly emotional matter,” said Jodi Olshevski, gerontologist and assistant vice president of The Hartford Advance 50 Team. “Family members delay having these conversations mainly because they want to avoid conflict and hurt feelings. It’s important, however, to be honest and involve the person with dementia in the driving transition planning process. Taking away the keys should be a last resort.”
The Hartford has worked with MIT AgeLab and Boston University to identify warning signs for drivers with dementia, as well as to provide tips for balancing independence and safety, including:
For People with Dementia:
- Confide in a friend or family member about what driving means to you.
- Work with your family to create a transportation plan that meets your needs.
- Consider a written agreement, such as the “Agreement with My Family about Driving” included in the At the Crossroads guidebook, as a way to balance your independence and safety.
For Caregivers: