Report: Majority of older adults with cognitive impairment still drive

BOSTON - Studies have shown that dementia has a medium to large effect on a person's ability to drive safely but how often are people with symptoms of dementia getting behind the wheel of a car?

Neurologists at the University of Michigan studied more than 600 adults over 65 in Texas who demonstrated some degree of cognitive impairment. They found that more than 60 percent were still driving and about a third of all caregivers had concerns about their driving.

They said it may still be appropriate for some people with mild cognitive symptoms to drive but not for others and that patients and caregivers should discuss these issues with their healthcare providers and consider "on the road" driving evaluations to ensure safety.

In:
• Health
• Dementia

Mallika Marshall, MD

Mallika Marshall, MD is an Emmy-award-winning journalist and physician who has served as the HealthWatch Reporter for CBS Boston/WBZ-TV for over 20 years. A practicing physician Board Certified in both Internal Medicine and Pediatrics, Dr. Marshall serves on staff at Harvard Medical School and practices at Massachusetts General Hospital at the MGH Chelsea Urgent Care and the MGH Revere Health Center, where she is currently working on the frontlines caring for patients with COVID-19. She is also a host and contributing editor for Harvard Health Publications (HHP), the publishing division of Harvard Medical School.

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