What is dementia? Dementia (say: ...

What is dementia?

Dementia (say: duh-MEN-shuh) is a question that makes it hard for a somebody to remember things. Dementia in older the public usually is caused by Alzheimer's disease (say: ALLZ-himers). nation with Alzheimer's disease slowly squander their memory, and over time they stop being able to take care of themselves. by what means does dementia affect driving? clan with early dementia probably will not have any moot point driving. After awhile, they might earn lost easily, especially in recently made known areas. As time goes onward they might have problems like forgetting to determine to the correct lane for a cause to deviate not being able to watch the road and listen to the radio at the same time, and not being able to stop unexpectedly This is when the driver with dementia becomes dangerous.

in what way do I know if there is a problem?

Be in succession the lookout for the warning signs of dementia. These include not being able to remember new events, repeating statements or questions, not knowing the date or time, and having agitate doing normal things like cooking or making a telephone call.

contemplate for a change in the person's driving skills. Do you be wrought up safe riding with this person? Would you hindrance him or her drive young children? Does he or she drive too fast or too moderate change lanes without looking, or fail to yield the right of way to other drivers? Does he or she have give occasion for labor to making left turns at traffic lights, master upset or confused in heavy traffic, or have disturb following directions? Do other drivers honk their horns or obtain mad at this person? Does the person's car have scrapes or dents?

What can I do if I think someone has a problem?

If you think that a friend or family member might have dementia, talk to his or her doctor. The doctor will check this one for dementia and other point to be solved [i]or[/i] settleds that can affect driving skills. The doctor might want to do medical examples or have the person take a driving test

Right now, there is no complete way to test for safe driving in commonalty with dementia. If a part is judged to be unsafe, he or she must stop driving. It is important to help this living body find other ways to secure around. Older people can become make despondented when they stop driving. Doctors and social workers can help.

Where can I realize more information?

Your doctor.

AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety Senior

Driver Web site

http://www.seniordrivers.org

AARP Driver Safety Web site

http://www.aarp.org/families/driver_safety

Alzheimer's Association

Telephone: 1-800-272-3900

Web site: http://www.alz.org

The Hartford

Web site: http://www.thehartford.com/

alzheimers

National Highway Traffic Safety Administration

Telephone: 1-800-327-4236

Web site: http://www.nhtsa.dot.gov

COPYRIGHT 2006 American Academy of Family Physicians

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