Grant: Master's Award: Canada Graduate Scholarships

Currently Alzheimer's disease or related dementias affect half a million Canadians, with Alzheimer's being the leading form of dementia. Despite its prevalence, Alzheimer's disease remains difficult to diagnose since, in its earliest stages, symptoms can be confused with the normal aging process. A further problem confronting the aging Canadian population is the fact that older drivers represent a growing segment of the driving population with fatality rates actually exceeding that of drivers younger than twenty-four years of age. This situation is exacerbated in older adults who also suffer from cognitive deficits such as Alzheimer's. The sensitive decision of when to revoke a driver's license is rendered difficult because of an absence of standardized driving assessments. Therefore, it is important to research driving behaviors in older adults, especially among those with cognitive decline. The proposed program of research was developed to eliminate inconsistencies between studies by providing a definitely objective rater in the form of computer measurements. This research contributes to the field of Alzheimer's disease by addressing the accuracy of subjective driving performance compared to objective measures of driving behaviors. This information could inform educational programs aimed at individuals with Alzheimer's disease, their caregivers, and physicians, in determining a cut-off point for driving cessation, based on objective data.