Preserving Freedom, Ensuring Safety

Driving represents independence, routine, and identity for many people. But with dementia, there inevitably comes a time when driving becomes unsafe. This moment can be emotional—for the individual, their family, and everyone involved in their care.

Developing a transportation plan in advance ensures that the transition away from driving is handled respectfully and safely, preserving dignity while prioritising wellbeing. Planning ahead also reduces the risk of conflict, isolation, and unintentional harm.

Tools like Evaheld help families document mobility preferences and share transportation support strategies securely via the Evaheld Legacy Vault, enabling smoother transitions.

Why Early Transportation Planning Matters

Dementia affects:

• Spatial awareness
• Reaction times
• Decision-making
• Memory and navigation skills

These changes make driving increasingly dangerous—yet recognising when to stop can be difficult. According to Advance Care Planning Australia, planning early allows the person to participate in the decision, rather than being forced into it later.

The Emotional Impact of Giving Up Driving

Losing the ability to drive may trigger:

• Loss of independence
• Embarrassment or shame
• Increased isolation
• Frustration or fear of being a burden

Acknowledging these feelings is just as important as addressing the safety concerns. Planning with empathy ensures the individual feels respected, not punished.

As Dementia Support Australia explains, emotionally preparing for this change is crucial in dementia support.

Creating a Thoughtful Transportation Plan

1. Start the Conversation Early

If the person is in the early stages of dementia, involve them in:

• Discussing when they feel safest driving
• Noting routes or times they already avoid
• Choosing a “transition date” to stop driving

Store this conversation in the Evaheld Legacy Vault as a recorded message, written note, or video. This adds clarity and honours their voice later.

Resources from Family Legacy Series can help frame these sensitive conversations in a legacy-focused, values-driven way.

2. Formalise the Decision in Your Advance Care Documents

Include notes about:

• When the person would like to stop driving
• Who should raise the issue when the time comes
• Any known medical triggers (e.g. vision loss, medication changes)
• Preferred transportation options or services

This can be included in your Advance Health Directive and uploaded securely using Evaheld.

3. Explore and Document Transportation Alternatives

Help the person feel they’re gaining new options, not losing freedom:

• Family and friend driving rosters
• Rideshare or community transport services
• Public transport with assistance
• Taxi subsidies or disability support transport options
• Faith-based or neighbourhood driving programs

Nurse Info provides guidance on safe transport planning tailored to dementia care.

4. Plan Social and Medical Transport Ahead of Time

Include:

• Weekly schedule for visits or outings
• Transport for appointments or religious services
• Backups in case primary transport falls through

Store contact info and schedules securely with Evaheld, accessible to all approved carers.

The Online Will Blog encourages integrating transport preferences into broader lifestyle and estate plans.

Identifying the Right Time to Retire From Driving

Watch for warning signs like:

• Getting lost on familiar routes
• Dents or unexplained vehicle damage
• Delayed reactions at intersections
• Nervousness or anger while driving
• Increased concern from family or friends

Speak to a GP or occupational therapist who specialises in driving assessments. Their input can be stored alongside legacy content in Evaheld for documentation purposes.

Supporting the Sandwich Generation

For adult children balancing parental care and raising children, a transport plan:

• Eases logistical pressure
• Prevents last-minute crises
• Allows family members to schedule and share driving
• Reduces emotional strain from navigating this life change

Advance Care Planning Australia and the Evaheld blog both reinforce the importance of early, family-wide transport conversations.

Preserving Dignity in Transition

To preserve dignity:

• Frame the change as a safety and wellbeing upgrade
• Focus on freedom through new routines, not restriction
• Share legacy reflections like, “This car took me to every milestone in life”
• Offer rides as time together, not chores

The Family Legacy Series encourages using memory sharing as a way to transition roles with compassion.

Final Thoughts

Driving retirement is one of dementia’s most emotional turning points—but with empathy, planning, and the right support, it doesn’t have to mean loss of connection or independence.

A transportation plan ensures that safety, autonomy, and dignity can travel together—no matter the road ahead.