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Handbook on the Neuropsychology of Aging and Dementia pp 135–152Cite as

Driving Evaluation in Older Adults

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Part of the book series: Clinical Handbooks in Neuropsychology ((CHNEURO))

Abstract

Individuals increasingly maintain active driver status later into life. The prevalence of age-related medical conditions (e.g., dementia) negatively affects the cognitive, visual, and physical abilities deemed necessary for safe driving. Thus, clinicians are increasingly called upon to comment on an older patient’s ability to remain an active driver. The current chapter aims to provide the clinician with a practical understanding of the literature on driving research that has been conducted in older drivers. We ­introduce concepts and challenges inherent in conducting driving research, and provide a review of the literature on the effects of healthy aging and neurological disease on driving performance. Special focus on cognition and driving is meant to help translate empirical studies into clinical applications. Finally, guidelines are provided for the clinician faced with evaluating driving capacity of an older adult.

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Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Psychology, Drexel University, 3141 Chestnut Street, PSA Building, Room 218, Philadelphia, PA, 19104, USA

    Kevin J. Manning M.S.

  2. Department of Psychology and Department of Biomedical Engineering, Drexel University, 3141 Chestnut Street, PSA Building, Room 218, Philadelphia, PA, 19104, USA

    Maria T. Schultheis Ph.D.

Authors
  1. Kevin J. Manning M.S.
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  2. Maria T. Schultheis Ph.D.
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to Kevin J. Manning M.S. .

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. East 72 Street, STE 500 428, New York, 10021, New York, USA

    Lisa D. Ravdin

  2. Miller School of Medicine, University of Miami, NW. 14th Street 1120, Miami, 33136, Florida, USA

    Heather L. Katzen

Appendix A. Additional Resources

Appendix A. Additional Resources

  • National Highway Traffic Safety Administration

  • Association for Driver Rehabilitation Specialists

  • The Handbook for the Assessment of Driving Capacity (2009). Schulthies, MT., Deluca, J. and Chute, DL. Elsevier Publishers.

  • CanDrive

    • Website for driving research with older adults; includes publications and other resources (http://www.candrive.ca/).

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Manning, K.J., Schultheis, M.T. (2013). Driving Evaluation in Older Adults. In: Ravdin, L., Katzen, H. (eds) Handbook on the Neuropsychology of Aging and Dementia. Clinical Handbooks in Neuropsychology. Springer, New York, NY. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4614-3106-0_10

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