Hi

You have a difficult problem. Is it just your car or is she very anxious in all cars. Is she anxious in all forms of transport?

I think it is worth trying out a few new strategies. In the build-up to the doctors visit try this:

Make short duration journeys-reward her at the end of each trip.

Ask your Mom where she would like to go-a very short journey that has a reward at the end of it. If she likes going to buy flowers or have a drink, do that-Whatever she likes best.

Take a friend of hers with you who can distract her/sit in the back of the car with her/comfort her.

Try to find out what works best. Does soothing music help? Is she less anxious in the morning or later in the day? Is she now picking up on your anxiety about taking her in a car?

Never physically make her get into the car it is just making more problems. Try getting her to sit in the car and maybe build up to a journey.

People do change their behavior as the Alzheimer's progresses so her anxiety about cars will probably not be forever.

Make journeys for pleasure before trying the trip to her doctor.

I would be interested to know how you get on.

Christine

Maybe you can find out why she is scared. My father-in-law is not that bad but he cannot be driven more than 30 minutes or he would feel lost. I am not sure if this is related to car motion sickness. Anyway, I think they don't like to feel lost and a car ride makes them feel loss of control. Maybe you can distract her in the car or tell her the bright side of a car ride? It is hard if she gets upset. Maybe you can ask the doctor or nurse what to do. You can reassure her she is going to the doctor's, not any other strange place.

Good luck!

Nina