No abstract

P rogressive dementia (most often Alzheimer's disease) is a major concern in an aging population. The most common deficits seen in dementia are impairments in memory, concentration (vigilance), judgement, and eventually, motor function. The impact of these and other cooccurring losses on everyday activities is devastating. One activity of particular importance is driving. In our society, driving has a special status among activities as it is considered a necessity, a right, and a symbol of independence (1-3). However, this "right" must be balanced by the need for public safety. While driving is a common activity across all age groups and is not without risk, there are age-related changes owing to dementia that create specific risks. Other studies have examined the deficits among drivers with dementia. This paper determines a quantitative estimate of the size of the problem that we are currently experiencing and are likely to experience in the next 25 years in 434