Most of us want to stay independent for as long as possible. We want to choose where we go, when we go, and how we get there. So, it’s no surprise that conversations about memory change, aging, and driving can feel overwhelming. But understanding how dementia progresses – with the intention of planning, can actually protect independence rather than take it away.
We all know dementia progresses over time. There is not a single moment or a sudden change. It’s a gradual process that affects thinking, memory, judgment, and problem-solving. In the early stages, people might notice mild forgetfulness, difficulty multitasking, or needing more time to make decisions. Many individuals continue to live full, meaningful lives during this stage. But as the disease progresses, these changes extend into daily activities. Tasks that once felt automatic (e.g., managing medications, paying bills, navigating to new places) require more effort and assistance from others.
The important point is that these changes don’t happen all at once. And because they unfold gradually, there’s a window of time, especially in the early dementia stage, when planning can be done thoughtfully, calmly, and proactively.
Unfortunately, since driving is such a powerful symbol of independence, it is often the last activity people want to talk about when memory changes begin. Yet it is important to understand, it is actually the most complex instrumental activity of daily living (IADL). Driving is an overlearned skill and older adults, even with moderate to severe dementia can “drive” – it is like “riding a bike.” However, the ability to perceive a dynamically complex situation, process the information quickly enough to execute a response is impaired once past the “mild” stages, maybe earlier with some people in more complex environments (urban areas). This is why driving deserves to be addressed early, not as a final step.
