2010 BC Guide in Determining Fitness to Drive

27.2 Prevalence and incidence of cognitive impairment and dementiaEstimates from the Canadian Study on Health and Aging (1991) suggest that 8% of allCanadians aged 65 and older meet the criteria for dementia, increasing to 34.5% for those 85 andolder. A 2004 study projected that in 2007, there would be 65,780 individuals with dementia inBritish Columbia, 44,130 of whom would have Alzheimer’s disease.In relation to cognitive impairment from any cause that has not been diagnosed as dementia,research indicates that the prevalence is 8% in individuals aged 65 to 74, increasing to 42% forthose 85 and older.The prevalence of both cognitive impairment (all causes – not dementia) and dementia increaseswith age. As shown in the table below, when combined, the prevalence of cognitive impairmentand dementia is 12% in those 65 to 74 and more than 72% in those 85 and older.Prevalence of Dementia and Cognitive Impairment 200 10 20 30 40 50 60 70%65-7475-8485+Alzheimer’s disease and Other DementiaCognitive Impairment (from all causes – not dementia)27.3 Cognitive impairment, dementia and adverse driving outcomesResearch clearly indicates that, as a group, those with dementia are at higher risk for adversedriving outcomes. In particular, individuals with dementia who experience behaviouraldisturbances and who are treated with psychotropic medications (e.g. anti-psychotics, antidepressants)may be at increased risk. It is important to note that studies also indicate that manyindividuals with dementia show no evidence of deterioration of driving skills in the early stagesof their illness.20 Source: Canadian Study of Health and Aging, 1991337