reading the paper the other day and I came across an article that made me laugh... sort of.
"people with early dementia tend to be very safe drivers" said Professor Desmond O'Neill. "the risk of crashes among Alzheimer's patients is 'acceptably low'" he said.
I'm looking at the words "dementia" and "Alzheimer's" and chuckling to myself in anticipation of the inevitable punch line at the end of the article.
he goes on, "many medical journals have reported an apparent increase in crashes per mile driven for older people, yet several studies have established that this is related to low mileage rather than to age".
ok, so the elderly are crashing their cars due to lack of use and being unaccustomed to the roads. seems reasonable. I'm still waiting.
he continues, "stopping driving can limit access to family, friends, and services and is an independent risk factor for entry into a nursing home".
what are a few casualties along the way in the name of the comfort of private transportation. "people with early dementia tend to be very safe drivers and they tend to limit their own driving themselves when they deteriorate."
the key words here being "dementia" and "deteriorate".
apparently cognitive tests cannot determine safe or unsafe drivers... the article ends and I fiddle with the cursor believing I've surely missed the page where it all comes together in uproarious laughter... alas, -30-.
moot or hooey?
moot or hooey?
however, in the end there is indeed a punch line: in Canada you can obtain a drivers licence at the age of 16 and not have to take another driver's test ever again unless you get in trouble with the law
2 comments:
Hi, as it happens I work with Professor O´Neill. He is indeed a great advocate for people with stroke and dementia, and he has a point, since studies corroborate his theory. How many people non demented you know are absolutely incapable of driving a car?
hello anonymous
thanks for talking to me.
i'm not sure i understand your question.
lots of people out there without dementia who are bad drivers too?...
yup, that's true. totally agree.
kind of adds fuel to the fire though, don't you think?
it's fabulous that Dr O'Neill is an advocate for people with stroke and dementia. that's extememly commendable.
i'm just not sold on the idea that people with dementia are safe drivers, and who are able to "limit their own driving when they deteriorate" just seems silly.
the worse their brains get the more rational and reasonable they get?... really?
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