If someone with Alzheimer's can no longer balance a checkbook or gets lost while driving, what should be done? It's a question foremost on the mind of many caregivers who are unsure how long their loved one should be entrusted with the keys of an automobile. "People suffering from Alzheimer's disease or other causes of dementia are driving an average of ten months longer than their caregivers think is safe," according to Jodi Olshevski, MS, corporate gerontologist for The Hartford Financial Services Group Inc. (NYSE: HIG), one of the nation's leading diversified financial services companies and a leading provider of auto insurance for drivers over 50.
News of that ten-month gap-from when a caregiver thinks driving should stop and when it actually does-has given rise to new research designed to arm them with the resources they need to make timely decisions on when and how to help a loved one with dementia make the transition from driver to passenger.
The research, including a series of educational workshops for caregivers, was conducted as part of a partnership with The Hartford's Corporate Gerontology Group, the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) AgeLab and the Boston University (BU) Alzheimer's Disease Clinical and Research Program.
"In our research, we found there is no system in place to determine when someone with dementia should stop driving and, to make matters worse, there are few resources available to help caregivers handle that transition themselves," said Lisa D'Ambrosio, PhD, research scientist at MIT's AgeLab. "Driving beyond when it's safe is not only dangerous to the drivers and those around them, but is enormously stressful for caregivers, even when there is no incident."
The research undertaken by The Hartford-MIT-BU partnership, conducted between 2005 and 2007 focused on three groups of caregivers. The first group, the control group, did not receive any information on dementia and driving. A second group received print information on the issue, but nothing in addition. Finally, a third group was invited to take part in the educational workshops on dementia and driving. Compared to the first two groups, those who attended the four weekly workshops were found to be significantly more confident, better prepared and more likely to address driving-related issues with their relatives who suffer from dementia.
"The problem is not just about people getting lost," said Robert Stern, PhD, Co-Director of BU's Alzheimer's Disease Clinical and Research Program. "Although memory problems are detected early on in dementia, these difficulties don't necessarily make someone an unsafe driver. It is clear, however, that all dementia patients will eventually lose the ability to drive safely. This is due to problems with judgment, multi-tasking, slowed reaction times, impaired spatial skills, and other cognitive deficits."
The conclusions drawn from the research resulted in the production of two new informational programs from The Hartford, one for support group leaders and one for individuals.
For support group leaders, The Hartford's kit of workshop materials is called, At the Crossroads: The Support Group Kit on Alzheimer's Disease, Dementia and Driving. It may be ordered free of charge online at thehartford/alzheimers. Key organizations are going to make the course available to caregivers, including the national Alzheimer's Association and the American Occupational Therapy Association.
"This kit is a true first-of-its kind, research-based tool on this topic," Olshevski said. "These workshops will give caregivers a higher level of confidence and peace of mind in making these difficult decisions. Our goal is to help caregivers develop a plan to gradually move the person from driver to passenger and identify alternative transportation. We help them find ways to get their loved one to stop driving, but not stop living."
For individual caregivers, The Hartford offers a booklet called, At the Crossroads: Family Conversations about Alzheimer's Disease, Dementia and Driving. It, too, can be downloaded or ordered free of charge at thehartford/alzheimers. This booklet is a new edition of the publication, At the Crossroads: A Guide to Alzheimer's Disease, Dementia and Driving, which The Hartford first published in 2000. The updated version reflects the latest research and provides caregivers with important knowledge, as well as tools, that can support them as they take action with their loved ones, when necessary, to limit or stop their driving.
The MIT AgeLab is a global partnership between MIT, the aging community and business to develop new ideas and technologies to improve the lives of older people and those who care for them. AgeLab's multi-disciplinary team has developed unique methods, facilities and data that place it at the forefront of innovation in transportation, health and wellness, and longevity planning. The AgeLab's Internet address is web.mit/agelab.
The BU Alzheimer's Disease Clinical and Research Program conducts clinical research dealing with the prevention, genetics, diagnosis, and treatment of Alzheimer's disease and related dementias. It is also home to the clinical research arm of the BU Alzheimer's Disease Center, one of 30 federally-funded centers charged with helping to decrease the human and economic costs associated with Alzheimer's disease through the advancement of knowledge (bu/alzresearch).
The Hartford, a Fortune 100 company, is one of the nation's largest diversified financial services companies, with 2006 revenues of $26.5 billion. The Hartford is a leading provider of investment products, life insurance and group benefits; automobile and homeowners products; and business property and casualty insurance. International operations are located in Japan, Brazil and the United Kingdom. The Hartford's Internet address is thehartford.
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