SAFETYLIT WEEKLY UPDATE

We compile citations and summaries of about 400 new articles every week.
RSS Feed

HELP: Tutorials | FAQ
CONTACT US: Contact info

Search Results

Journal Article

Citation

Hallgrímsdóttir HM, Snædal J. Laeknabladid 2002; 88(6): 503-506.

Affiliation

Department of Geriatrics, Landspitali University Hospital, Landakoti, 101 Reykjavík, Iceland. jsnaedal@landspitali.is.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2002, Icelandic Medical Association and the Medical Society of Reykjavik)

DOI

unavailable

PMID

16940635

Abstract

Objective: The proportion of elderly in the community is increasing and thereby the number of elderly drivers. This leads to an increase in the number of drivers with cognitive impairment and even dementia. This study looks into the problems this is creating. Material and methods: Interview with patients and their relatives seeking for cognitive impairment to a Memory Clinic over a period of 4 years. Information was achieved by a social worker for 346 individuals. Results: Out of 346 individuals, 121 were active drivers, 110 ex drivers and 48 had never had drivers license. Insufficient information on driving was for 67 patients. Most of the ex drivers or 92 (84%) had stopped driving of their own initiative. The relatives of 12 individuals informed of accidents occurring after the onset of cognitive impairment and 7 of them continued to drive in spite of that. Discussion: Elderly who experience cognitive impairment decide in most instances themselves to stop driving. A minority continues driving in spite of obvious deficiencies. Clear guidelines for relatives and health professionals are needed in order to help elderly with cognitive impairment in making decisions on when it is appropriate to stop driving.


Language: is

NEW SEARCH


All SafetyLit records are available for automatic download to Zotero & Mendeley
Print