Driving is certainly a convenient way to get around, and yet it is not the only way. Use this transportation planning worksheet (click here) or this worksheet (click here) to help you plan how not to compromise the person with dementia's physical and social benefits now that they are no longer driving. They were produced by The Hartford. Brainstorm together the best way for the person with dementia to do all the things they need to do and like to do. For instance, the person with dementia may be able to change certain routines like instead of visiting the bank, set up automatic bill payments. The transportation options will depend on the person with dementia's specific situation. Ideas include:

• Family and friends
• Carpooling
• Public transit - but if the person with dementia tends to get lost, they need someone to take them to the transit option and meet them at their destination.
• Taxis and ridehailing (e.g., Uber, Lyft) - but if the person with dementia tends to get lost, they need someone to meet them at their destination.
• Community organizations that offer driver services
• Retirement residences with van service
• Delivery services and online ordering (e.g., groceries, prescriptions, books, newspapers)
• Services offering home visits (e.g., hairdressers, doctors, laundry pick-up)
• Meal delivery services (e.g., Meals-on-Wheels)
• Members of religious organizations
  
  

In addition, learn about alternative transportation options for where the person with dementia lives (click here).

Here's what some family members have to say:

• Getting a taxi out here would be very expensive because we're in the country, so it's really depending on a car and depending on other drivers. One day I asked a neighbour to take me somewhere, which I've never done before.  They responded, 'Absolutely, whenever you need anything'. So, I know they're there.
• I use the attitude that, 'I'll take you wherever you want to go'. I never make him feel bad about wanting to get a drive somewhere. I think having that attitude to support him has been helpful. It changes the dynamic between us when he has to depend on me. We've tried to plan so that we do things together instead.

See various family/friend carers providing helpful ideas about how to transition to no longer driving. Although some of the content is specific to Australia, most of the ideas are helpful no matter where you live.

Source:  produced by Alzheimer’s Australia Vic.

Click on the titles below of these worksheets developed by The Hartford. After reviewing a worksheet, when you close the worksheet's window, it will automatically take you back to here.

• Use this Getting There: Using Alternative Transportation (click here) to help you think of various ways that the person with dementia can get around without driving.
• Use this Driving Activities: When, Where, Why? (click here) to help you consider all of the activities the person with dementia has to do and likes to do.