Assessment of Older People's Health and Social Care Needs and ...

Assessment of Oicler]eople's Health and So~ialCare Needs and Preferences.these are often (but not invariably) drivers with dementia, it is interesting to note some changes inthe literature. Early reviews on the sUbject suggested that subterfuge and working around the patientwas the only strategy. An interesting case report has suggested a possible alternative involvingexploring the patient's feelings and fears about giving up driving". The intervention was designedwith the patient as collaborator and by dealing with the events at an emotional rather than at anintellectual level. The patient was able to grieve about the disease and in particular about the loss ofhis car. This in turn enabled him to redirect his attention to other meaningful activities that did notinvolve driving. Although this approach may be hampered by the deficits of dementia, it reflects amore widespread trend towards sharing the diagnosis of dementia with the patient.98 Bahro, M., Silber, E., Box, P., Sunderland,T. 'Giving. up driving in Alzh~im:r'S disease - an intergrative therapeuticapproach'. International Journal of Genatnc Psychiatry 1995,10.87187 .