Navigating Difficult Conversations about Driving and Dementia

Driving can be a sensitive topic as a person gets older, and especially so when someone begins experiencing cognitive decline or is diagnosed with dementia. How can family members and care partners discuss their concerns about a loved one’s ability to drive while still respecting their dignity, autonomy and independence? Dr. KJ Hansmann joins the podcast to share strategies for how to talk about a loved one’s driving habits and how to plan to help them stop driving as they navigate cognitive decline, as well as what signs to look out for when assessing their ability to drive and what resources are available for both those living with cognitive decline and their care partners. Guest: KJ Hansmann, MD, PhD, MPH, family medicine doctor, UW Health, assistant professor, department of family and community health, UW School of Medicine and Public Health, principal investigator, Driving Connections Lab Show Notes Read Dr. Hansmann’s article, “Dementia and driving: A scoping review of family caregiver involvement in driving cessation research,” online through the journal Alzheimer’s & Dementia.  Learn more about Plan for the Road Ahead, mentioned by Dr. Hansmann at 29:48, on their website. Find conversation guides and other resources for discussing driving with dementia on the Alzheimer’s Association website and the Alzheimer’s Foundation of America website. Learn more about your local Aging and Disability Resource Center (ADRC) or Area Agency on Aging (AAA), mentioned by Dr. Hansmann at 30:10, on their websites. Learn more about Dr. Hansmann and the Driving Connections Lab at the UW Department of Family Medicine and Community Health website  Listen to our past episode on driving, “Aging Behind the Wheel: How Driving Behavior Can Identify Preclinical Alzheimer’s Disease,” on our website, Spotify, Apple Podcasts or wherever you listen. Connect with us Find transcripts and more at our website. Email Dementia Matters: [email protected] Follow us on Facebook and Twitter. Subscribe to the Wisconsin Alzheimer’s Disease Research Center’s e-newsletter. Enjoy Dementia Matters? Consider making a gift to the Dementia Matters fund through the UW Initiative to End Alzheimer’s. All donations go toward outreach and production. Learn about and pre-order Dr. Chin’s book, When Memory Fades: What to Expect at Every Stage, from Early Signs to Full Support for Alzheimer's and Dementia, out June 2, 2026.