When Driving Concerns Signal Something More: How the CMS GUIDE Program Can Help Colorado Families

For many families, concerns about driving are one of the first signs that something may be changing. A missed stop sign, confusion in familiar neighborhoods, slower reaction times, or increased anxiety behind the wheel can raise quiet but persistent questions: Is this normal aging—or could it be something more?

At Fitness to Drive, we often see families come to us during this uncertain stage. Driving challenges can be an early indicator of cognitive impairment, including dementia, and addressing them early can make a meaningful difference in safety, planning, and quality of life. One new resource that can support families during this journey is the CMS GUIDE Program.

What Is the CMS GUIDE Program?

The CMS GUIDE (Guiding an Improved Dementia Experience) Program is a Medicare initiative designed to better support individuals living with dementia and the family members and care partners who support them. Rather than focusing only on medical appointments, the GUIDE program takes a whole-person, whole-family approach. It connects families with coordinated services that can include:

• Ongoing care coordination

• Education about dementia and what to expect over time

• Support for care partners and family decision-makers

• Help navigating community-based resources

• Strategies to reduce crisis situations and unnecessary hospitalizations

The goal is to help people with dementia remain safely in their homes and communities for as long as possible—while also reducing stress and burnout for care partners.

Why Driving Concerns Matter in Dementia Care

Driving is one of the most complex daily tasks we perform. It requires attention, memory, judgment, visual-spatial skills, and the ability to process information quickly. Because of this, changes in driving ability are often among the earliest functional signs of cognitive decline. Families may notice:

• Getting lost on familiar routes

• Difficulty following traffic signals or signs

• Slower decision-making or reaction time

• Increased frustration, anxiety, or defensiveness around driving

• Close calls, minor scrapes, or traffic citations

These changes don’t always mean someone should immediately stop driving—but they do signal the need for a thoughtful, proactive conversation and professional guidance.

How Fitness to Drive Supports Families

Fitness to Drive is a trusted resource for families navigating driving safety in the context of aging and cognitive change. We help take the emotion and guesswork out of difficult decisions by offering:

• Comprehensive driving evaluations to assess current driving abilities

• Regular re-evaluations as conditions change over time

• Consultation and guidance for care partners, helping families plan next steps and communicate more effectively

• Individualized recommendations that prioritize safety, dignity, and independence

Our role is not simply to say “yes” or “no” to driving, but to support families through a process that often evolves over months or years.

How CMS GUIDE and Fitness to Drive Work Together

Programs like CMS GUIDE recognize that dementia affects far more than memory—it impacts daily activities, independence, and family dynamics. Driving decisions are a critical part of this picture. For Colorado families, combining the broader support of the CMS GUIDE program with specialized services like Fitness to Drive can help:

• Identify driving concerns early

• Reduce conflict and uncertainty around driving decisions

• Create a plan that adapts as cognitive changes progress

• Support care partners who are often carrying the emotional weight of these decisions

When families have the right tools and professional guidance, they are better equipped to keep their loved ones—and their communities—safe while preserving dignity and quality of life.

Starting the Conversation Early Matters

If you’re noticing changes in driving behavior, trust your instincts. Early support creates more options, more time for planning, and fewer crisis-driven decisions.

Whether you’re exploring dementia-related resources like the CMS GUIDE program or seeking expert guidance on driving safety, Fitness to Drive is here to help families navigate these decisions with clarity, compassion, and confidence.

If you have concerns or questions, reaching out early can make all the difference.

If you have concerns or questions, reaching out early can make all the difference. Allow Fitness to Drive to help! Contact us at 719.231.6657 or Schedule your free consultation today!