Even small changes to mental abilities can prompt seniors to quit driving Subtle declines are associated with the decision to give up driving Women are four times more likely to stop driving than men FRIDAY, May 24, 2024 (HealthDay News) -- One of the toughest decisions seniors face is when to give up their keys and stop driving. Even slight changes to the ability to remember, think and reason can lead a senior to decide to stop driving , a new study finds. Impaired cognitive function foreshadows the decision of many seniors to give up driving, even more so than age or physical changes related to Alzheimer's disease, researchers found.
And routine brain testing -- in particular, screening meant to detect the earliest and most subtle decline -- could help older adults make safe driving decisions while still preserving their independence, the study concluded. “Many older drivers are aware of changes occurring as they age, including subjective cognitive decline,” said researcher Ganesh Babulal , an associate professor of neurology at Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis.
“Doctors should discuss such changes with their older patients,” Babulal added in a university news release. “If risk is identified early, there is more time to support the remaining capacity and skills, extending the time they can drive safely, and to plan for a transition to alternative transportation options to maintain their independence when the time comes to stop driving.” For .
