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Dementia

How to get your loved one to give up the car keys

By May 6, 2023October 9th, 2023No Comments

Some individuals with mild cognitive impairment can still drive, but it’s important to balance their safety and independence. Here are some steps you can take:

  1. Have an open and honest conversation: Express your concerns about their driving, and ask them how they feel about it. Try to avoid a confrontational tone and approach the conversation with empathy.
  2. Consider getting a professional assessment: A driving assessment from a qualified occupational therapist can provide an objective evaluation of your parent’s driving abilities. This assessment can help identify any areas of concern and suggest ways to improve their driving skills.
  3. Look into alternative transportation options, like Uber or Lyft.

If you determine that they are still all right to drive, consider equipping them with BoundaryCare. BoundaryCare will allow you to know where they are going, and when they leave home. Also, BoundaryCare allows you to create safe itineraries. That means that you can draw your finger along a route your loved one typically takes (for example, to the grocery store or the coffee shop). If they depart significantly from that route, you’ll be alerted. And if they get lost, you can call them directly on their watch.