Evaluating Fitness to Drive in Elderly with Subjective Cognitive Decline

Abstract

Summary:Maintaining independent mobility and the ability to drive contributes greatly to the quality of life of elderly. However, decline of functional abilities, such as cognitive decline, can reduce elderly's fitness to drive and pose a risk for traffic safety. The current study aims to compose a test battery of functional ability tests to predict fitness to drive in elderly with subjective cognitive decline in the doctor's office. Functional ability tests were used as predictors for on-road driving assessment outcome. Passing or failing the on-road test was best predicted by a battery of tests addressing visual and motor ability and knowledge factors. This selection of tests can be administered in an office setting within a reasonable time frame and allows medical professionals to provide patients with well-argued advice concerning their fitness to drive. Further research is needed to improve diagnostic accuracy of off-road fitness to drive screenings for elderly drivers.