When it's time to take action about driving concerns

Be prepared to take action, whether an older driver is receptive or not, if you're convinced that he poses an immediate risk to himself or others,  If he agrees, go with him to talk the matter over with his physician. You can also request permission from him to talk to his physician yourself. (Under patient privacy laws, a physician can't disclose information about a patient's health without written permission from the patient, unless the person requesting the information has power of attorney.) If the physician shares your concern, she may be willing to talk to him herself. If this doesn't work, you can contact your local Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) and, if possible, anonymously issue a safety complaint.

What the DMV will do: The DMV routinely gives older drivers driving and written tests as a requirement for license renewal. If a driver fails such tests, his license can be suspended or revoked. In some cases, the DMV puts restrictions on an elderly person's license, forbidding him to drive after dark or on the highway, usually because of vision problems. If the DMV receives a complaint about an elderly driver, either from a private citizen, a police officer, or a physician, the driver will be asked to submit to a medical evaluation. Depending on the results of that evaluation and further investigation and evaluation by the DMV, the elderly driver's license could be restricted, suspended, or revoked.

In the case of dementia: If the person in your care has dementia, the driving issue is even more urgent. The effects and progress of dementia can be subtle, but they can also have a corrosive effect on decision making and good judgment. A person with dementia may believe that he can drive safely and insist on doing so, no matter how badly impaired he is. For these reasons, if the person you're concerned about is diagnosed with dementia, he should receive a driving safety evaluation from the DMV. Some people with mild dementia can continue to drive, but if dementia is moderate to severe, the individual should stop driving altogether.