ABSTRACT
The aging process affects everyone in one way or another and many older adults will eventually be faced with questions about their ability to continue to drive safely. How they answer these questions, and whether they are even willing to consider them, depends to a great extent on the information available to them about functional declines in abilities that can affect driving; strategies for compensating for, or overcoming, these declines; and how to plan for a time when driving is no longer possible. Older adults with dementia or other cognitive impairments, however, may lack the insight to benefit from these educational efforts. In addition, as discussed in Part 3 of this book, the older adult’s family members and the medical professional also play a role in helping to maintain safe mobility for aging drivers. The effectiveness of these groups’ ability to help older drivers is dependent upon the quality of information and training they receive. Thus, the availability of sound education and rehabilitation is essential for maintaining mobility among older adults.
