﻿T:Driving a car with Alzheimer’s	
Q:My neighbor has Alzheimer’s but still drives his car. 
 <time_period> he wrecked the tires on his SUV by driving around a rocky vacant lot which he owned. 
 His explanation is that he was trying to cut down the weeds. 
 Another time he stopped his car in the middle of the road,  and seemed rather sheepish when asked what he was doing. 
 He drove on home. 
 I was about to report him to <institution> as an unsafe driver when I learned that he just got his driver’s license renewed. 
 Anyway,  I don’t feel safe with someone that impacted by dementia driving around our neighborhood. 
 His wife and son,  with whom he lives,  haven’t taken away the car keys. 
 There doesn’t seem to be any protocol for determining when someone with dementia should have their license revoked. 
 <date> one of our neighbors with Alzheimer’s drove away,  and weeks later his car was found abandoned in <location>. 
 The body has not been located. 
 So what’s your thoughts? What should I do?	
 A:Well,  it sounds like his family is oblivious to this situation. 
 My thoughts are this,  write down his license plate & go see your local police department. 
 I would discuss your concerns with them. 
 At very least they have been alerted. 
 It sounds like he does not belong behind the wheel & he poses a threat to others including himself. 
 Since he has lost his license once before this may get some attention with the police,  I really don't know. 
 A:There is a bunch of stuff about this on the internet. 
 EXAMPLE: <location> Health & Safety Code [Section <num>] requires physicians to submit a confidential report to <institution> when an individual is diagnosed as having Alzheimer's disease or related disorders,  including dementia,  severe enough to impair a person's ability to operate a motor vehicle. 
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