Are you or your loved ones driving safely?

There may be questions that you have about the safety of an older driver and the ability to maintain one’s independence while living at home. This is always a delicate issue for families to address and most do not know how what to do next. The Association for Driver Rehabilitation Specialists (ADED) has developed key points to consider and discuss with your loved ones.

• Most seniors depend on an automobile for the bulk of their travel, with 90% of their trips taken in private vehicles, either as drivers or passengers.

• Traveling in a private vehicle, particularly driving it, provides seniors with independence, enabling them to get to essential services and make social contact outside the home. For many, it is an important aspect of wellness and aging in place.

• When physical and mental limitations make it difficult to drive safely, most older adults gradually withdraw from driving.

• The most common cause of unsafe driving by older drivers includes vision impairment, cognitive limitations, side effects of medications, slower reaction times, muscular difficulties, and limited range of motion.

• When driving is curtailed, seniors may find themselves isolated from the activities that had filled their lives, especially if they live in suburban or rural areas where public transportation can be cumbersome, if available at all. Isolation can undermine one’s quality of life and accelerate health decline.

• Older drivers pose the greatest risk to themselves and are not a significant risk to others.

Who Can Help?
Occupational therapy driving rehabilitation specialists can conduct clinical (vision, reaction time, perceptual skills) and on-road driving assessments and offer treatment plans that range from modifying driving habits to installing adaptive equipment in the automobile. These specialists can also help ease seniors through the possible transition to other modes of transportation.

It is important for families to maintain an ongoing discussion about the driving safety of their loved ones so problems can be addressed before they arise.
To find an occupational therapist who specializes in driving rehabilitation contact the Association of Driver Rehabilitation Specialists at www.aded.net