CarFreeMe™-Dementia: Potential Benefits of a Driving Retirement Intervention Supporting Persons With Dementia and Their Families

Abstract Background and Objectives Driving retirement can be a necessary but challenging and emotionally complex transition, especially for people living with dementia. This pilot study evaluated the utility of CarFreeMe™-Dementia (CFM™-D), a telehealth intervention providing tailored education and...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Innovation in aging 2024-03, Vol.8 (3), p.igae022-igae022
Main Authors: Peterson, Colleen M, Ingvalson, Stephanie, Birkeland, Robyn W, Louwagie, Katie W, Scott, Theresa L, Pachana, Nancy A, Liddle, Jacki, Gustafsson, Louise, Gaugler, Joseph E
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Aged
Automobile driving
Dementia
Demographic aspects
Diagnosis
Motor vehicle driving
Original
Psychological aspects
Risk factors
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Summary:Abstract Background and Objectives Driving retirement can be a necessary but challenging and emotionally complex transition, especially for people living with dementia. This pilot study evaluated the utility of CarFreeMe™-Dementia (CFM™-D), a telehealth intervention providing tailored education and social support to those living with dementia and their care partners, as they prepare for or adjust to driving retirement. Delivered by empathetic health professionals, CFM™-D is a person-centric, flexible program tailored to address challenges specific to the participants’ driving retirement stage and individualized contexts. Research Design and Methods A single-arm, mixed-methods design was used to follow participants over a 6-month period. Participants received CFM™-D, a 7–8-module semistructured intervention, including education and planning support for driving retirement (impact of dementia, transportation options) and emotional adjustment (grief and loss, stress management). Surveys evaluated the perceived utility of intervention components as well as changes in well-being and readiness for driving retirement over time. An open-ended survey item and semistructured interviews provided additional feedback and a contextual understanding of the empirical data. Results A total of 50 families enrolled (17 care partners, 16 retiring/retired drivers with memory loss, and 17 care partner-retiring/retired driver dyads). Nearly all participants would recommend the intervention. Care partners reported significantly reduced (p 
ISSN:2399-5300
2399-5300
DOI:10.1093/geroni/igae022