Citation

Brown LB, Ott BR. J. Geriatr. Psychiatry Neurol. 2004; 17(4): 232-240.

Affiliation

Department of Psychiatry and Human Behavior, Brown Medical School, Rhode Island Hospital, Neuropsychology Program, 593 Eddy Street, Physician's Office Building, Providence, RI 02903, USA.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2004, SAGE Publishing)

DOI

10.1177/0891988704269825

PMID

15533995

PMCID

PMC3292210

Abstract

The purpose of this article is to review the literature on the ability of individuals with dementia to drive an automobile. Based on a review of the literature, several factors were identified that may be useful in differentiating between people with dementia who presently remain safe drivers from those who have progressed to impaired driving. These factors include disease duration and severity, sex, patient self-assessment, family assessment, neuropsychological measures, findings on road evaluations, and driving simulator testing. The approach of the physician to driving and dementia is addressed, including in-office screening, referral for on-road driving assessments, and the potential for physician reporting to state agencies.