BUFFALO — The Alzheimer’s Association Western New York Chapter and Erie County Medical Center have created a partnership to provide free driving evaluations for persons living with dementia.

A grant from the state Department of Health is providing funding to enable the chapter and ECMC to offer the evaluations at no-cost to individuals and families who seek a referral from the chapter.

“The evaluations are a vital tool for helping families make difficult decisions when facing the progression of Alzheimer’s disease and other forms of dementia,” said Jill Horner, Alzheimer’s Association Chapter executive director. “We are delighted by this partnership and the opportunity to provide this valuable service in conjunction with ECMC.”

ECMC’s Driver Rehabilitation Program, established in 1984, provides outreach, education and formal driver evaluations to assist patients in reaching or maintaining their highest level of safe driving. Licensed occupational therapists specializing in driver rehabilitation complete a two-part patient assessment including an in-clinic and behind-the-wheel evaluation. At the conclusion of the assessment, post-evaluation counseling is conducted to review results and provide necessary education and support.

“We are grateful to the New York State Department of Health for funding this important initiative,” said Dr. Thomas J Quatroche Jr., ECMC Corp. president and CEO. “We are also pleased to partner with the Alzheimer’s Association on our Driver Evaluation Program. The Alzheimer’s Association offers support and advocacy for patients with Alzheimer’s disease and ECMC provides patient-centered evaluations to assess the driving abilities of people living with Alzheimer’s. Together, both organizations are working to remove barriers and enable the greatest level of independence for these individuals within our community.

For more information, call the Alzheimer’s Association at 626-0600.