None listed
Conditions
Brief summary
This project investigates the effectiveness of the evidence-based driving cessation intervention for people with dementia and their family members who are retiring from driving, through a cluster randomised controlled trial. Stopping driving impacts health and quality of life for people with dementia and their care partners, and poses considerable challenges to health professionals who monitor driving issues. Although a diagnosis of dementia does not immediately disqualify someone from safe driving, eventually they will need to stop. 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. We have developed a comprehensive support- and education-based intervention targeted at people with dementia and their care partners and family members to manage the transition from driving to non-driving status. The intervention is a translation of a proven driving cessation intervention for people without cognitive decline (CarFreeMe, formerly UQDrive) and is based on what people who have experienced driving cessation said that they needed to adjust, and stay active and engaged. The intervention is unique in that it is focused on both the practical and emotional issues that are experienced as a result of driving cessation. The intervention includes seven modules that cover education and practical support, delivered by an experienced health professional who is trained in CarFreeMe delivery. It is anticipated that trained health professionals will deliver the intervention to people with dementia and their families in their homes and/or community settings. The intervention is individualised according to geographic location and the particular needs and preferences of participants and is intended to be flexible. The individualised program involves a combination of one-to-one sessions, groups, practical outings and activities with a local experienced health professional, as well as home-based independent written and verbal activities.
Interventions
The CarFreeMe for people with dementia is a comprehensive support and education based intervention to improve driving cessation outcomes for people with dementia and their family members. The intervention includes seven modules that cover education and practical support, delivered by a health professional who is trained in, for example, occupational therapy, psychology, or nursing, and who is experienced in working in community care with older adults with dementia and their family members. Healt
The CarFreeMe for people with dementia is a comprehensive support and education based intervention to improve driving cessation outcomes for people with dementia and their family members. The intervention includes seven modules that cover education and practical support, delivered by a health professional who is trained in, for example, occupational therapy, psychology, or nursing, and who is experienced in working in community care with older adults with dementia and their family members. Health professionals, trained in delivery of CarFreeMe, will deliver the intervention to people with dementia and their families in their homes and/or community settings. The intervention is individualised according to geographic location and the particular needs and preferences of participants and is intended to be flexible. The individualised program involves a combination of one-to-one sessions, groups, practical outings and activities with a local experienced health professional, as well as home-based independent written and verbal activities. Delivery will involve 7 x 1 hour sessions, once per week for 7 weeks.
Sponsors
Dr Theresa Scott
Study design
Allocation
Randomised controlled trial
Intervention model
Parallel
Primary purpose
Treatment
Masking
Blinded (masking used) (Subject, Caregiver, Outcomes Assessor)
Eligibility
Sex/Gender
All
Age
18 Years to No maximum
Healthy volunteers
Yes
Inclusion criteria
(1) the person with dementia will be eligible to participate if he/she has mild to moderate dementia (Mini-Mental State Examination score 12-26 (inclusive), or clinical diagnosis), is living in the community, has ceased driving or plans to cease driving in the next six months and driving cessation is an issue for him/her, and is able to provide informed consent for participation (or have a guardian able to do so) and has a family member/carer able to participate in the trial; (2) family members will be eligible to participate if they identify as the main person providing ongoing informal care of the person with dementia
Exclusion criteria
Persons with dementia may be excluded from participation if they have never obtained a drivers' license or have ceased driving some years ago (2 or more years), have a major physical illness or sensory impairment (or reason other than dementia) that resulted in their stopping driving; or insufficient command of English to be able to respond to study questionnaires. Family members or support persons may be excluded if they are younger than 18 years of age, or they do not have informal care of the person with dementia.
Outcome results
None listed