Driving Cessation and Dementia
Keywords: GPS Technology, Older Adults, Dementia, Driving Cessation
Overview of Research
Declining health and cognitive functions are the main causes of driving cessation for older adults with dementia. In Canada and many other industrialized countries, driving is the preferable method of transportation among older residents and is a crucial determinant for maintaining a high level of engagement with the society. Therefore, such individual’s independence in daily activities and satisfaction in life is highly dependent on their driving ability. In order to mitigate adverse effects of driving cessation on health and well-being of individuals, support programs are required.
The goal of this research project is to contribute to the design of a program that supports drivers once they give up driving and ensures their mobility and social functions. The program particularly targets older adults with dementia to help them continue engaging in their daily activities, including those outside of their house, once they stop driving. In order to determine the success rate of the program, GPS technology is used to record modes of transport and travel patterns of non-drivers in an extended period of time, which will determine whether users travel more or less after giving up driving. Our research project intends to evaluate degree of effectiveness of this program, which will help ensure well-being and health of older adults with dementia.
Research Team
Sayeh Bayat (Toronto Rehabilitation Institute)
Belkacem Chikhaoui (CRIM)
Alex Mihailidis (University of Toronto)
Bing Ye (University of Toronto)
Gary Nagile (Baycrest Hospital)
Mark Rapoport(SunnyBrook Hospital)