A proposal for the development of a group intervention (within the UK) to assist active drivers with dementia and their families prepare for the transition of driving cessation

Abstract

This proposal provides an in-depth service development plan for a group intervention (within the UK) to assist active drivers with dementia and their families prepare for the transition of driving cessation. The group intervention will take the form of a support group that is suitable for both male and female drivers of any age who have a dementia diagnosis. It will also be suitable for their family members. This will be introduced as a new provision and is designed to complement an existing service - the Scottish Driving Assessment Service. The support group will therefore be based at the SMART Centre in Edinburgh, UK. The support group will be conducted once a week for six weeks, using the existing facilities of the SMART Centre. A multi-agency approach is required for this service development plan because it is proposed that the support groups will be jointly led by an Occupational Therapist attached to the Scottish Driving Assessment Service (NHS Lothian) and a Dementia Advisor employed by Alzheimer Scotland. The intent of the support group is to provide support, resources and education for active drivers with dementia and their loved ones in order to ensure that they fell prepared to determine when driving cessation should occur and how to go about making that happen in a productive and positive manner. Furthermore, the specific module content and expected outcomes to be addressed in the weekly support groups will be developed by key stakeholders during the needs analysis. Different evaluation methods will be carried out during the support groups, as well as after the final meeting. In addition, a final report will be completed at the end of the six month period proposed for the service development to be planned and implemented. This report will be presented to the proposed funding bodies, NHS Lothian and Alzheimer Scotland.