Helping a person get around safely with dementia – including driving, walking and more

For more information, check out the full Conversations About Dementia and Driving brochure.

Driving and dementia

Does a diagnosis of dementia mean a person has to stop driving? This is one of the first and toughest issues many people living with dementia face. It can also be an issue for their families and friends.

Some people in the early stages of dementia can continue to drive safely. But because dementia symptoms usually get worse over time, it’s important to be aware of any changes in driving habits.

Of course, not everyone drives to get around. Many people walk, cycle, ride public transit, or use taxis and rideshares. And dementia can impact those, too.

Watch for these warning signs

As dementia progresses, a person’s thinking, memory, sight and orientation can decrease. This may lead to:

Going too fast or too slow
Stopping in traffic for no reason
Being confused about when to change lanes
Getting lost on familiar roads
Driving in the wrong direction
Using improper signalling
Ignoring traffic lights and signs
Thinking “green” means stop and “red” means go
Confused about pedestrian signs and signals when walking in an intersection
Relying on a co-driver
Refusing passengers like family and friends
Becoming nervous or irritated about driving
Not being able to make sound judgments on the road – for example, not braking in time, driving too fast in inclement weather
Difficulties judging walking speeds and the speed of oncoming traffic
Worsening eye, hand, and leg coordination and reflexes
Increased number of traffic tickets or police warnings
Misjudging widths and distances, resulting in an unusual number of small dents or scrapes on the vehicle.

Note: Certain types and combinations of medications can further impair the person’s reasoning and judgment.

What to do if you’re concerned

Know that you are not alone. There are places you can reach out to for help.
Talk to your family doctor. Physicians are legally responsible to report patients who have a medical condition that may impair their driving.
Raise the issue of driving early to help encourage the person with dementia to participate in decisions about driving.
Driver testing and licensing rules vary by province and territory. Check with your provincial Ministry of Transportation for current rules.
Discuss your concerns with family or friends with similar experiences.
Contact your local Alzheimer Society. Staff can help you solve challenging issues and point you in the right direction.

Tips for getting into and out of a car

When travelling, take steps to make sure the safety and emotional comfort of any person with dementia.

A person living with dementia may find it hard to get in and out of a car. Over time, perception problems may develop. These can make it hard for a person to see changes in depth. As a result, a person might need more help getting into and out of a car or other vehicle.

Try these steps to help:

Park your vehicle on a flat surface, a fair distance from the curb. Leave enough room for the person to step onto the street.
Move the front seat back as far as possible. The front seat of the car is often more accessible than the rear seats.
Clothing may stick to car seats made of cloth. Try covering the car seat with more slippery material, such as a sheet of plastic.
Open the door, then turn the person around so that their buttocks are facing the inside of the car. Hold the person's hands, or place their left hand on the roof and their right hand on the back of the door frame. Back the person up until the backs of their legs are touching the car seat.
Ensure the person's feet are outside of the car and firmly on the ground; guide the person to sit sideways on the seat.
Once the person is seated, direct them to pull in their left leg, and then their right. Once their legs are inside, the person can shift or swivel around to face the front of the car. Direct the person to slide toward the back of the seat.
Buckle up.
If a person tries to remove a seatbelt while driving, turn the seatbelt inside out so that the buckle is not easily accessible.

Tips for travelling by foot, bike or wheelchair

Walking or wheeling is a great way to stay physically active, maintain independence and connect with others. It is also important for a person living with dementia to feel as safe as possible when they are out walking, biking or rolling. Here are some helpful tips.

Try to watch out for and avoid hazards such as
- Roads with high volumes of traffic
- Crossing multi-lane roads
- Areas with traffic driving at high speeds
- Neighbourhoods that do not have a proper sidewalk or have uneven ground
- Challenging weather conditions – such as heavy snowfalls, icy sidewalks or strong winds
- Construction zones or closed roads

Walk in familiar places – establishing a walking routine can be helpful
Consider using a tracking or locating device
Always carry some form of identification, along with the name and number of a person that could be contacted in a crisis
Join a walking group or find a walking buddy – this is also a great way to meet new people and stay connected
Keep a list of important addresses, names and contact numbers on the person with dementia
Use a map, possibly on a smartphone, to follow familiar walking routes and to avoid busy roads
Check the current weather before leaving for your walk
Wear appropriate clothing, such as a hat, gloves and winter boots when it is cold and a sun hat, light clothes or sunglasses when it is hot
Try to choose a walking route that has easy access to benches, rest areas, handrails and public washrooms, if required
Find a walking route with lots of green space, a calming environment and easy-to-read signage – loops can be great for this

Check out these resources to learn more about safer walking for people living with dementia:

Tips for travelling with a person living with dementia

We all enjoy a change of scenery and a break from routines. However, as dementia progresses, changes in abilities can make it difficult to get away.

Careful planning will help you manage changes in surroundings and routines. Here are some tips to make the trip easier:

Have a plan

Include the person with dementia in your planning. Give them a copy of the trip itinerary for their reference.
If you are planning to visit friends and family, tell them about the changes since your last visit.
Learn as much as you can about the place you’ll be visiting, so you can anticipate what you’ll need.
Think ahead about activities that may need to be adjusted.
Consider a holiday package, where everything is organized for you.
Carry recent photographs, details of what the person is wearing, and preferred places of interest. This will help during a search if one is needed.
Keep a copy of the name and number of your hotel in a familiar spot in the person’s purse or pocket, so they can ask for help if needed.

Simplify

Aim for as few changes in routine as you reasonably can.
Try to get a direct flight.
If you’re travelling by car for a long distance, consider extending the time to get there and driving shorter distances each day.

Ask for help

If possible, have an additional person travel with you to help.
Make sure that your travel agent is aware of any special needs.
Inform the airline that you are travelling with a person with dementia. You may want to request early boarding, a wheelchair, transportation upon arrival, help getting on and off the plane or with stowing carry-on baggage.
Request seating near washrooms.
If you are staying at a hotel, let the staff know about your needs and explain some of the possible difficulties you think you might encounter.

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