This week is AOTA’s Older Driver Safety Awareness Week, December 7–11, 2015, which aims to promote understanding of the importance of mobility and transportation to ensure older adults remain active in the community—shopping, working or volunteering—with the confidence that transportation will not be the barrier to strand them at home.
Did you know that age is not the only reason to retire from driving? Some states are requiring people at a certain age to take a road test. Studies show that it is a combination of affects that limit someone’s safety with driving. Naturally, aging does come with medical affects, such as conditions of the eyes: glaucoma, macular degeneration, complications from diabetes. Aging may cause conditions of the spine, such as arthritis, making it difficult to turn the neck, a necessary skill for driving. Aging may cause decreased reaction time due to slower reflexes or slower cognitive processing.
I am proud to be the creator of Pathways Rehabilitation Services, a unique driving school focusing on helping older drivers and people with medical conditions. My goal is to help people drive safer and longer. I have been fortunate to have worked with many older drivers and their family members. Through my comprehensive evaluation and personalized driving training, clients and their family members are able to be at peace with my recommendations.
If you know any aging drivers who may need to revisit or refresh their driving skills, contact us today!