Premium
Determination of driving cessation for older adults with dementia in Japan
Author(s) -
Mizuno Yoko,
Arai Asuna,
Arai Yumiko
Publication year - 2008
Publication title -
international journal of geriatric psychiatry
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.28
H-Index - 129
eISSN - 1099-1166
pISSN - 0885-6230
DOI - 10.1002/gps.1999
Subject(s) - geriatrics , gerontology , longevity , dementia , medicine , psychiatry , disease , pathology
It is estimated that in Japan there are approximately 0.35 million people with dementia who continue to drive (Arai Yand Arai A, 2005). With the amendment to Section 103 of the Road Traffic Act in 2002, dementia is now included as a reason for license revocation (Arai, 2006; Arai et al., 2006). However, it has been argued that the implementation of the Act leaves much to be desired. Arai (2006), from interviews with licensing officers, revealed problems with the Act: (1) there is no clear definition of ‘dementia’; (2) is it right for the authority to deprive people in an early stage of dementia of selfsustainability?; and (3) little description is provided as to how to assess such people in terms of ‘fitness to drive’. In particular, it remains to be defined who in practice ultimately makes the decision regarding driving cessation of older adults with dementia (Arai et al., 2007).