Without intensive practical and emotional support to plan for, and eventually, cease driving, people with dementia are at high risk for depression, anxiety, grief, social isolation, unsafe and unlicensed driving and injury. This study focused on evaluation of a 7-module intensive support program targeted at people living with dementia and their care partners to manage driving cessation (“CarFreeMe”).

Our intervention was person-centered according to geographic location and needs of participants. Participants were encouraged to consider future transport arrangements, plan for lifestyle changes, form realistic expectations of life changes after driving cessation, practice using alternative transport, and supported in their emotional adjustment to the role loss. We collected program evaluation from PWD and care partners via survey, including open and closed questions. Participants reported their satisfaction with content and delivery on a scale of 1-10 (where 1 = not satisfied at all, 10 = extremely satisfied).

We describe our program and report the results of evaluation from 41 participants (PWD = 54%) who completed the survey after program conclusion. There was overall satisfaction with the program, program Content was rated on average 8.6/10, program Presentation and Delivery was rated average 9.1/10. Content analysis identified ‘personalized support’, ‘finding and trying out alternative transports’, ‘psychoeducation’ and ‘a safe space to discuss grief and loss’ as most relevant and helpful to participants.

Findings indicated that PWD and care partners valued the individualized support for the cessation process, and highly valued the psychoeducation components and strategies to address the practical and emotional challenges. Additionally, feedback indicated that for PWD who had involuntarily retired from driving, more focused attention to coping with grief and loss was needed before moving on, accepting support, and finding alternative ways to get out and about.