Alzheimer’s Disease plays havoc on family members and especially the family member who is living with the disease. In most cases, it is difficult to witness the toll it takes on our loved one’s life. Alzheimer’s strips away dignity and esteem.. little is left behind. Independence gone forever.

And when you discover that your loved one is continuing to drive even though they promised they would not, you find yourself in a hard place to be. To prevent them from injury on themselves or others, there are several ways in which you can limit their driving. 

First of all, speak to your loved ones doctor and ask them to write a “do not drive” prescription and send it to the Department of Motor Vehicles and show it to your loved one.  Control access to their car by holding on to their keys, parking it on another block or in the driveway of someone you know.  If your loved one continues to drive, despite the fact that they no longer have a legal license, you may need to disable the vehicle by removing the battery or distributor cap.

Taking away the driving privileges of an Alzheimer’s patient is an exhausting process that could leave your loved one feeling like they’ve lost their freedom and family members feeling guilty for taking that freedom away.  It’s important to be sensitive to your loved ones needs and arrange for other modes of transportation so they can continue to go about their daily routines.  Above all,

Alzheimer’s patients tend to mourn for their independence and feel useless relying on others to do the things that they used to do for themselves.  Maintaining a relatively normal schedule can offer stability and a strong sense of self-satisfaction, for both you and your loved one.

When dealing with long term planning, estate planning, and wills – contact Willie Elder Law - (512) 478-0834.