Driving Cessation: What Are Family Members’ Experiences and What Do They Think about Driving Simulators?

Background: Driving cessation is difficult for persons living with cognitive decline (PLWCD) and their caregivers (CG). Physicians are often required to notify authorities of driving risks, and typically base decisions on paper-based cognitive assessments and on-road tests. This study examines exper...

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Main Authors: Frank Knoefel, Salma Mayamuud, Rania Tfaily
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: MDPI AG 2022-11-01
Series:Geriatrics
Subjects:
Online Access:https://www.mdpi.com/2308-3417/7/6/126
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author Frank Knoefel
Salma Mayamuud
Rania Tfaily
author_facet Frank Knoefel
Salma Mayamuud
Rania Tfaily
author_sort Frank Knoefel
collection DOAJ
description Background: Driving cessation is difficult for persons living with cognitive decline (PLWCD) and their caregivers (CG). Physicians are often required to notify authorities of driving risks, and typically base decisions on paper-based cognitive assessments and on-road tests. This study examines experiences surrounding cessation and CG’s views regarding simulators in the process. Methods: Semi-structured virtual interviews were conducted with CGs of PLWCD from an academic memory clinic. Experiences around cessation were explored first, followed by discussions regarding the simulator. Framework analysis was applied to transcribed interviews. Results: Six females and two males, three children and five spouses participated. PLWCD viewed driving cessation negatively, often had difficulty understanding why, and believed cessation was temporary. CGs experienced relief and/or shock. Cessation negatively impacted the relationships between the PLWCD and both the physician and CG. Isolation, coping challenges and loss of independence were experienced by the PLWCD. The lives of caregivers were adversely affected, especially regarding driving burden and worsening mental health. CGs were generally supportive of simulators. Positives included: measurement of driving skills, method of testing, and providing an understanding regarding the driving suspension. Potential drawbacks included difficulty using the machine, testing anxiety and stress induced by a crash. Caregivers were concerned about: PLWCD’s disappointment of failure, requesting to retest, and reluctance to accept the decision. Conclusion: PLWCD and caregivers had negative experiences related to the driving cessation. Generally, caregivers viewed implementing driving simulators positively, in a context of a practice session and support for PLWCD’s potential reactions to the decision.
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spelling doaj.art-30b26d3f66b84d21aedd59fbf41ae6172023-11-24T15:07:51ZengMDPI AGGeriatrics2308-34172022-11-017612610.3390/geriatrics7060126Driving Cessation: What Are Family Members’ Experiences and What Do They Think about Driving Simulators?Frank Knoefel0Salma Mayamuud1Rania Tfaily2Memory and Cognition Group, Bruyère Research Institute, Ottawa, ON K1N 5C8, CanadaFaculty of Science, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, ON K1N 9B4, CanadaDepartment of Sociology and Anthropology, Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences, Carleton University, Ottawa, ON K1S 5B6, CanadaBackground: Driving cessation is difficult for persons living with cognitive decline (PLWCD) and their caregivers (CG). Physicians are often required to notify authorities of driving risks, and typically base decisions on paper-based cognitive assessments and on-road tests. This study examines experiences surrounding cessation and CG’s views regarding simulators in the process. Methods: Semi-structured virtual interviews were conducted with CGs of PLWCD from an academic memory clinic. Experiences around cessation were explored first, followed by discussions regarding the simulator. Framework analysis was applied to transcribed interviews. Results: Six females and two males, three children and five spouses participated. PLWCD viewed driving cessation negatively, often had difficulty understanding why, and believed cessation was temporary. CGs experienced relief and/or shock. Cessation negatively impacted the relationships between the PLWCD and both the physician and CG. Isolation, coping challenges and loss of independence were experienced by the PLWCD. The lives of caregivers were adversely affected, especially regarding driving burden and worsening mental health. CGs were generally supportive of simulators. Positives included: measurement of driving skills, method of testing, and providing an understanding regarding the driving suspension. Potential drawbacks included difficulty using the machine, testing anxiety and stress induced by a crash. Caregivers were concerned about: PLWCD’s disappointment of failure, requesting to retest, and reluctance to accept the decision. Conclusion: PLWCD and caregivers had negative experiences related to the driving cessation. Generally, caregivers viewed implementing driving simulators positively, in a context of a practice session and support for PLWCD’s potential reactions to the decision.https://www.mdpi.com/2308-3417/7/6/126driving cessationcognitive declinedriving simulatorsqualitative datacaregiversframework analysis
spellingShingle Frank Knoefel
Salma Mayamuud
Rania Tfaily
Driving Cessation: What Are Family Members’ Experiences and What Do They Think about Driving Simulators?
Geriatrics
driving cessation
cognitive decline
driving simulators
qualitative data
caregivers
framework analysis
title Driving Cessation: What Are Family Members’ Experiences and What Do They Think about Driving Simulators?
title_full Driving Cessation: What Are Family Members’ Experiences and What Do They Think about Driving Simulators?
title_fullStr Driving Cessation: What Are Family Members’ Experiences and What Do They Think about Driving Simulators?
title_full_unstemmed Driving Cessation: What Are Family Members’ Experiences and What Do They Think about Driving Simulators?
title_short Driving Cessation: What Are Family Members’ Experiences and What Do They Think about Driving Simulators?
title_sort driving cessation what are family members experiences and what do they think about driving simulators
topic driving cessation
cognitive decline
driving simulators
qualitative data
caregivers
framework analysis
url https://www.mdpi.com/2308-3417/7/6/126
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