Search Site close Close
News

Dementia and Driving

Published Date:

According to the National Institute on Aging, there are more than 41 million licensed drivers age 65 and older on the roads, up from 26 million just 20 years ago. As a person ages, changes in health, including problems with vision, hearing, and reflexes, may affect driving skills.

The risk of being injured or killed in a motor vehicle crash also increases as a person ages. When a person has dementia, the risk increases more.

What happens when the person with dementia is no longer able to stay safe on the roadways? Click here to read an how to recognize an unsafe driver and what to do when your loved one can no longer drive safely.

More from SIU News

Jonas Konan, DMSc, PA-C

Jonas Gileguy Konan's journey of service, leadership and lifelong learning

Jonas Konan’s leadership path in neurosurgery and as a distinguished SIU DMSc alumnus began long before he stepped into an operating room. His commitment to patient care began as a college paramedic volunteer, on the front lines of emergency medicine in Texas.
801

Nominations and applications open for SIU School of Medicine dean, provost and CEO

Southern Illinois University School of Medicine invites nominations and applications for the position of dean, provost and CEO.
Alz research

Summer research internship opportunities at Smith Alzheimer's Center

The Smith Alzheimer’s Center at SIU Medicine is offering up to two lab internship opportunities for undergraduate college students in 2026. Selected students will explore cutting-edge research on Alzheimer’s disease.