Elizabeth Dugan, Gerontologist
Caring.com Expert
Elizabeth Dugan is an associate professor of gerontology at the McCormack Graduate School of Policy and Global Studies at the University of Massachusetts Boston.
She studies medical aspects of driving regulations and policy and how doctors and older patients talk about difficult issues such as whether a patient is medically fit to continue to drive. Dr. Dugan is the author of Driving Dilemma: The Complete Resource Guide for Older Drivers and Their Families.
Why I Care "My interest in gerontology was sparked by my grandmother and an inspiring professor.”
Recently Published on Caring.com
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Thanks for sharing your situation, I'm sorry -- it sounds very, very challenging. It isn't clear to me what your mother's health problems are that make her unfit to drive ...
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Thank you for your question about seizures and driving restrictions. Medical conditions that alter our level of consciousness impact our ability to drive safely. The more ... -
How can I get my father-in-law to stop driving even thought he's passed a written test? — May 18, 2011Thanks for your question. This is such a tough situation -- trying to manage a difficult situation remotely, then add in the family patterns of communication (or not, in th... -
Thanks for your question about osteoporosis and airbags. Compared to middle-aged adults, all older adults are at increased risk of severe injury or death in a crash. Havi... -
Thanks for your question. Dealing with a medically impaired loved one who keeps talking about driving, when he/she is not at all fit to drive, is really tough. To me it so... -
How can I approach Mom about giving up her car keys? — Dec 20, 2010Thanks for your questions. It sounds like you have your hands full. To answer your questions: Yes, it is possible that if your mother was in an at-fault accident she cou... -
Thank you for your question and for providing enough detail to get a glimpse of your husband -- beyond a collection of diagnoses, but as a proud, very high-achieving man - ... -
How do I take the keys away from an alcoholic parent? — Jun 26, 2010This is a tough situation, I'm sorry you have to deal with it. I'm going to assume that you have tried to talk to her to convince her not to drink and drive, and that has n... -
Is there a standard post-stroke driver assessment? My dad... — Jun 26, 2010Yes. His best bet is to be evaluated by a certified driving rehabilitation specialist -- check the American Occupational Therapy Association website (www.aota.org; then cl... -
How can we stop mom from driving when Alzheimer's makes using alternatives difficult? — Jun 08, 2010My family faced a similar situation -- and I know how hard it is to figure out exactly when to take the keys away from a loved one with dementia. Even experts sometimes di... -
Can a person with vertigo drive? — May 10, 2010I would really encourage her to talk to her doctor about the vertigo. It may be quite treatable. But if it continues or gets worse she has to worry about falls, causing an... -
Are doctors required to notify the state if someone is no longer capable of driving safely? — Mar 13, 2010The short answer is No. These regulations vary by state. In Ohio health care providers are permitted to notify the licensing authority (Bureau of Motor Vehicles), but they... -
Does Dad have to have an accident before someone intervenes and gets him to stop driving? — Jan 16, 2010I understand your frustration, I think figuring out if a parent is legally safe to drive or not is one of the hardest things adult children confront. First, check http://... -
Can my mom continue to drive if she taking Aricept? — Sep 12, 2009Driving is regulated at the state level, so it depends where your mother lives. But, yes, some states do terminate a driver's license once diagnosed with dementia. Among ... -
Can I legally remove Dad's car? — Sep 12, 2009Boy this is a sticky situation. I recommend talking this over informally with your local law enforcement officials. Unfortunately they have to deal with drunk driving ever... -
Observing declines in a loved one and not living close enough to be of much help is a special stress more and more of us are feeling. Hiring a geriatric social worker who ... -
What are the family's liabilities if my parents, who should not be driving, cause an accident? — Apr 08, 2009I'd recommend consulting an attorney to be sure. We live in a very litigious society, so I think you are right to be concerned. -
My generally healthy (but diabetic) mother was recently told to stop driving. She wants her car back, badly. — Apr 08, 2009The vision standards for driving fitness are set at the state level and vary state by state. I'd recommend checking to see what her state's regulations are. Her visio... -
My generally healthy (but diabetic) mother was recently told to stop driving. She wants her car back, badly. — Apr 08, 2009The vision standards for driving fitness are set at the state level and vary state by state. I'd recommend checking to see what her state's regulations are. Her visio... -
Communication is the best tool at your disposal. Try talking with your uncle, using motivational interviewing techniques (described in my book The Driving Dilemma and... -
It's time to work closely with your father's health care providers. Driving requires the ability to see, think, and move. Parkinson's symptoms and treatments may impair dri... -
Find out what the process is for reporting medically impaired drivers to the Department of Motor Vehicles in your state. Ask the physician to submit the required paperwork.... -
Should someone with macular degeneration be driving? — May 23, 2008Your mother may still be safe to drive since she is in the early stage of macular degeneration. In fact, in some states you only need vision in one eye to keep driving. Bu... -
How can I persuade my father to stop driving? — May 22, 2008It depends on what's prompting the doctor recommendations and if this was a firm, evidence-based diagnosis or an off-the-cuff, rushed remark. If there's any doubt, get a... -
Why is my elderly father having trouble driving at night? — Nov 21, 2007Many older drivers self-regulate driving behavior to be safe, so they'll avoid dangerous roads, driving in bad weather, or driving at night. I don't think you should worry ...
