Dementia can make driving unsafe because it can affect someone's ability to coordinate multiple tasks, judge distances and speed, stay alert, process information, remember directions and cope with stressful situations. Being diagnosed with dementia does not mean the person has to stop driving straight away.
Most drivers with Alzheimer's disease will need to stop driving in the middle stage of dementia. Some types of dementia have certain early symptoms that mean an end to driving might be sooner.
In NSW, a conditional licence may be issued to people with dementia if the RMS is satisfied with the medical assessment of fitness to drive. Some drivers may be required to complete an on-road and/ or off-road driving assessment before being issued with a conditional licence.
I'm going to discuss five of the most basic ones here: 1) Don't tell them they are wrong about something, 2) Don't argue with them, 3) Don't ask if they remember something, 4) Don't remind them that their spouse, parent or other loved one is dead, and 5) Don't bring up topics that may upset them.
If you have mild memory problems you may still be able to drive safely because of skills you have learnt over many years. However, your condition may get worse, with other skills being affected, and one day you may have to stop driving.
Mini-Mental Status Examination (MMSE)
This test is usually conducted by your doctor or specialist in their office and takes around 5 minutes to complete. The MMSE is the most common test for the screening of dementia. It assesses skills such as reading, writing, orientation and short-term memory.
Conservator: A person appointed by the court to make decisions on behalf of the person living with dementia; referred to as the guardian in some states. Custody: Legal responsibility for a person.
other long-term health problems – dementia tends to progress more quickly if the person is living with other conditions, such as heart disease, diabetes or high blood pressure, particularly if these are not well-managed.
Dementia is caused by damage to brain cells. This damage interferes with the ability of brain cells to communicate with each other. When brain cells cannot communicate normally, thinking, behavior and feelings can be affected.
Administration: The examiner reads a list of 5 words at a rate of one per second, giving the following instructions: “This is a memory test. I am going to read a list of words that you will have to remember now and later on. Listen carefully. When I am through, tell me as many words as you can remember.
Some individuals in the early stage of Alzheimer's who remain independent may be able to travel alone, but planning ahead is necessary. Consider the following: When booking flights, inquire if the airline offers a “meet-and-greet” service to escort passengers through security and to their gate terminal.
Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE)
This test is currently the most widely used cognitive assessment tool. It takes 10-15 minutes to administer. It is scored out of 30, with a score below 24 suggesting dementia. It is used to assess global cognitive status.
People with dementia should not be living alone without care if they are suffering any cognitive impairment that could lead to them coming to any harm at home. Some common signs that a person with dementia can no longer live independently include: They are struggling with personal hygiene.
Many people affected by dementia are concerned that they may inherit or pass on dementia. The majority of dementia is not inherited by children and grandchildren. In rarer types of dementia there may be a strong genetic link, but these are only a tiny proportion of overall cases of dementia.
People with dementia need to live in environments that best support their safety and quality of life. For some, this may mean living at home with support services, even if there is some risk. The amount and type of support available are important factors in determining if a person can live alone.
The Mini-Cog test.
A third test, known as the Mini-Cog, takes 2 to 4 minutes to administer and involves asking patients to recall three words after drawing a picture of a clock. If a patient shows no difficulties recalling the words, it is inferred that he or she does not have dementia.
The average life expectancy figures for the most common types of dementia are as follows: Alzheimer's disease – around eight to 10 years. Life expectancy is less if the person is diagnosed in their 80s or 90s. A few people with Alzheimer's live for longer, sometimes for 15 or even 20 years.
Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease causes a type of dementia that gets worse unusually fast. More common causes of dementia, such as Alzheimer's, dementia with Lewy bodies and frontotemporal dementia, typically progress more slowly.
People in the early stages of dementia may understand their diagnosis and its implications. However, it is important to note that dementia affects every person differently and that symptoms vary between people. In the later stages of dementia, individuals may not be aware of their condition.
Stay mentally and socially active. Engaging in mental or social activities may help to build up your brain's ability to cope with disease, relieve stress and improve your mood. This means doing these activities may help to delay, or even prevent, dementia from developing.
The Australian Government subsidises aged care homes across Australia to provide affordable, accessible care. Residential care subsidies and supplements are paid directly to your aged care home. The amount the government contributes is based on an assessment of your ongoing care needs once you have entered care.
Dementia can happen to anybody, but it is more common after the age of 65.
Ultimately it's better to visit three times per week for 20 minutes than once a week for an hour. Do not go on outings until your loved one is totally adjusted to their living situation, and then only if you think it would be helpful and not confusing. Come with a friend or someone else who knows the person.