The Needs and Experiences of Caregivers to Persons with Dementia (PWD) who have Lost their Driving Privileges

Abstract

The ability to drive a motor vehicle for most older adults is associated with a sense of independence, well-being, quality of life and identity. For many older adults, driving cessation is an inevitability. This is especially the case for older adults with a diagnosis of dementia. Driving cessation has been shown to negatively impact individuals’ mobility and, consequently, quality of life. Informal caregivers (i.e., family caregivers) can mitigate the negative consequences associated with driving cessation in persons with dementia (PWD) by meeting their mobility needs and by offering emotional support. The purpose of this study was to examine the experience and needs of informal caregivers of PWD who had recently lost their driving privileges. Ten informal caregivers of PWD were recruited from a tertiary memory disorders clinic. Semi-structured interviews were conducted and transcribed. Transcripts of interviews were analyzed using an inductive thematic analysis approach. Thematic analysis revealed that caregivers expressed the need to receive transportation training and more information on transportation alternatives. Caregivers also expressed the need for psychological services, such as individual therapy, grief therapy or group therapy with other caregivers of PWD. The experiences and needs of caregivers indicate that driving cessation of the care recipient is a difficult experience for caregivers and that a therapeutic intervention based on the reported needs may be beneficial.