Mom wants to drive still but got lost once. Any advice?

Nope. Take her to the doctor and have him order an OT to evaluate her driving skills. She doesn't get keys until someone else says she can.

An 80 year-old person WITH DEMENTIA should not be driving. Nope. No way.

I'd get lost in a new city. That is really not the point. Did she reason through what she should do now? Did she try calling someone for help?

Getting lost is the very least of the driving worries for someone with dementia. It would take just a few seconds of panic, just a few seconds of forgetfulness, just a fleeting moment of unawareness to result in someone's death.

Sorry that she is not real happy with you. I can understand that. But safety comes first.

It helped my husband some to get a solo mobility device -- a scooter -- for outdoor use. He could still go to get a haircut or to the library on his own.

Do not give those car keys back to her!! In short order, you will be repeating the process. Think about assisted living.n she would be around other people, have activities and not be just sitting around alone all day.

At some point it is not about what the loved one wants but what is best for them! Allowing a driver on the road that could get lost or even worse, cause tragic accident because of their mental state, is a huge responsibility. No keys, no driving until doctor's evaluation and driving test; you could be saving another family's life!

Please don't let her drive. I have my loved ones out there. They are all I have and I don't want to loose them. A dementia patient should not be driving at all in any city.

I should have said lose them.

Take the keys away and contact the DMV. They should do an evaluation and can take her license away -- I did that with my mom. She flunked the written test and they took her license away. I'm in Michigan, so they would do a three-pronged test -- written, visual and then a driving (if the first two are passed). Wherever you are they should have something comparable.

imf1958, thanks for the update, didn't realize your Mom's memory issues are to a point where she doesn't remember her doctor appointment where the doctor said for her not to drive.

I have that same issue with my Dad as every once in awhile he will say he will drive... Dad had just minor age related memory issues but it's his physical decline that he tends to forget isn't driver friendly. Talking to Dad about the lack of safety when driving always went in one ear and out the other.

Now whenever my Dad says he's going to start driving again, I tell him don't forget to call the Insurance agent and tell her you will be back on the road, that way she can change her paperwork to you being the main driver and don't be surprised if your insurance fees double in cost. The words "double in cost" got his attention.

No worries about letting her drive. I have the keys and have disconnected the battery so all loved ones still driving are safe! I told her I really don't care if that is "mean". She doesn't want to live with any of my brothers so my house, my rules!! The doc said I would be hearing from DMV after she sent the results of eval to them but nothing yet. I could sell it as I have POA but I like having a backup car when my goes into the shop. I guess my next step is to contact DMV myself.

However, I would love to know if there are any tracking devices out there.

There are locators that you can wear like a bracelet, but would she wear it or leave it alone? I have also heard of GPS in shoes.