Remain firm as the disease progresses

If the person living with Alzheimer's disease insists on driving, consider these last-resort preventive strategies:

• Control key access. Keep keys out of sight. If your loved one insists on carrying a set of keys, offer keys that won't start the vehicle.
• Disable the vehicle. Remove a battery cable to prevent the car from starting, or ask a mechanic to install a "kill switch" that must be engaged before the car will start.
• Sell the vehicle. If you can make do without your loved one's vehicle, consider selling it.

Whether your loved one stops driving all at once or in stages, he or she will probably grieve the loss of independence. Be patient, but firm. The consequences of unsafe driving can be devastating.