Talking about dementia
For people with dementia, closing the chapter on a lifetime of driving can be tough - but having the right people around you can make the decision so much easier.
Dementia affects the brain and memory, impacting on abilities like awareness, problem-solving, reasoning, planning, judgement and vision.
When it comes to driving, dementia can slow your reaction times while also reducing your navigational skills, concentration and decision making. In some cases you may even forget how to drive altogether.
While dementia will force you to stop driving eventually, it's important to let people know about any concerns you have about your driving in order to manage how and when you drive.
This can include a family member, a friend or your doctor, who can support your transition from driving.
While this can lead to some challenging conversations, it will also open up an honest dialogue with those who care the most about you.
At the end of the day, this is all about addressing your safety and the safety of others on the road.
However, it's also important to remember that any changes to your driving won't mean you'll lose your ability to get around independently. The Tasmanian Government's Transport Access Scheme can help people who have a disability get discounted taxi and parking fees.