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To Drive Or Not To Drive In The Orlando, Florida Area?

Are you faced with that difficult issue of whether an elderly parent, relative, friend or someone with Alzheimer’s should be driving? How do you determine whether they should be driving or not driving? No one wants to give up the freedom that comes with a driver’s license. 

New Castle University in Britain offers questions to ask anyone whose driving judgment may be impaired by dementia, along with questions to ask family. Circling yes to any of these questions should spark a wider discussion of whether it is time for someone to stop driving. 

Here are a few questions you can ask to determine whether a family member should be driving:

1. Do you feel uncomfortable in any way riding with a relative?
2. Does your relative need a co-pilot to alert them to potentially hazardous events or conditions? 
3. Are other drivers forced to drive defensively to accommodate your relative’s errors in judgment?
4. Have there been occasions where your relative has gotten lost or experienced navigation confusion?
5. Does your relative need many cues or directions from passengers?
6. Have you noticed any abnormal or unsafe driving behavior?
7. Has your relative had any recent crashes?
8. Has your relative had near-misses that could be attributed to mental or physical decline? 
9. Has your relative received any fines or cautions?
10. Have others commented on your relative’s unsafe driving?  

Here are 10 Questions to Ask Someone with Alzheimer’s Disease:

1. Have you noticed any changes in your driving skills?
2. Have you lost any confidence in your overall driving ability, leading you to drive less often or only in good weather?
3. Do others sound their horn or flash lights at you or show signs of irritation? 
4. Have you ever become lost while driving?
5. Have you ever forgotten where you are going?
6. Do you think at present you are an unsafe driver?
7. Have you had any car accidents in the last year?
8. Have you had any minor accidents with other cars in parking lots?
9. Have you received any cautions or fines for speeding, going too slowly, failing to stop at red light, etc.?
10. Have others criticized your driving or refused to ride with you?

Hopefully, this information will aid you in making tough and difficult decisions regarding your loved ones, or someone with Alzheimer’s Disease. 

If you have more questions regarding a Marital and Family Law matter, you may call Ann Marie Giordano Gilden at Ann Marie Giordano Gilden, P.A. at 407-732-7620 and set an initial consultation. You may also visit my website at: https//: www.AnnMarieGildenLaw.com

This article is for informational purposes only; and it does not form an attorney client privilege.