Brief Description

The questionnaire is in a pilot phase and consists of 40 questions covering various aspects of the driving behavior of individuals with dementia. The topics include license acquisition and type, conditions and types of routes driven, accidents caused, frequency of vehicle changes, the effect of medications, recommendations for driving cessation, and the personal and family perception of the individual’s driving ability.

Purpose

The aim of the tool is to identify factors that indicate the need to cease driving among patients with dementia, in order to enhance the safety of both the drivers themselves and other road users.

Scoring Method

Responses are evaluated based on the presence or absence of risk factors. Each question contributes to forming an overall profile of driving ability, which can support the decision to continue or cease driving.

Validity

Preliminary analysis shows that the questions are related to critical indicators of driving competence, such as vehicle usage frequency, driving conditions, medication use, weather conditions, number of accidents, and recommendations from family and physicians.

Reliability

Complete reliability data have not yet been published, as the tool is still in pilot use. Future studies are expected to assess internal consistency and test–retest reliability.

Data Analysis and Use

Analysis includes recording and categorizing responses to identify patterns related to driving safety. The data can be used in clinical assessments, counseling and family education programs, and research studies examining the relationship between cognitive functions and driving ability.

References

American Medical Association. (2003). Assessing and counseling older drivers. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.
Reger, M., Welsh, R., Watson, S., Cholerton, B., Baker, L., & Craft, S. (2004). The relationship between neuropsychological functioning and driving ability in dementia: A meta-analysis. Neuropsychology, 18, 85–93.
Tsamasslides, T., Tsantali, E., & Tsolaki, M. (2005, March 31–April 3). Until when can patients with dementia drive? 4th Panhellenic Interdisciplinary Conference on Alzheimer’s Disease and Related Disorders, Thessaloniki.