Subtle Mental Declines Occur Before Older Folk Quit Driving [Video]

Key Takeaways

Even small changes to mental abilities can prompt seniors to quit drivingSubtle declines are associated with the decision to give up drivingWomen are four times more likely to stop driving than men

FRIDAY, May 24, 2024 (HealthDay News) — One of the toughest decisions seniors face is when to give up their keys and stop driving.

Even slight changes to the ability to remember, think and reason can lead a senior to decide to stop driving, a new study finds.

Impaired cognitive function foreshadows the decision of many seniors to give up driving, even more so than age or physical changes related to Alzheimer’s disease, researchers found.

And routine brain testing — in particular, screening meant to detect the earliest and most subtle decline — could help older adults make safe driving decisions while still preserving their independence, the study concluded.

“Many older drivers are aware of changes occurring as they age, including subjective cognitive …