The Traffic Injury Research Foundation (TIRF) is pleased to announce the release of ‘A Meta-Analysis of Cognitive Screening Tools for Drivers Aged 80 and Over’, a report funded by the Ministry of Transportation Ontario (MTO).
Canada’s population is aging and seniors represent the fastest growing population group in Canada. Using today’s licencing rates in Canada, it can be expected that over 4.6 million Canadians aged 65 or older will hold valid driver licences after 2021. This number will rise to 6 million by 2031.
With an increase in this age population on the roads, it is important to understand what physical, cognitive, and mental issues these drivers may face. In particular, older drivers are at an increased risk of suffering from late-life cognitive impairment and dementia. These diseases are concerning as they impair the ability to drive.
Today there is no single tool that can accurately identify an unfit driver with absolute certainty. In light of the expected increase in elderly drivers with cognitive impairments and dementia, efficient and effective screening for such impairment will become more important. Therefore, it is crucial to establish the most appropriate methods to assess cognitive impairment among elderly drivers.
The objective of the project was to gather and analyze information to inform the selection of a cognitive screening tool or tools that can be used during Group Education Sessions (GESs) in Ontario.
In order to accomplish this objective, a meta-analysis of the literature on cognitive screening tools has been conducted. The report summarizes the findings from the meta-analysis and provides background information on the issue of elderly driver assessment.
Hardcopies are available upon request. Please contact tirf@tirf.ca to order your copy.
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