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Debra A. Kerrigan, MS, OTR/L Newton-Wellesley Hospital Department of Rehabilitation Services

Steering Clear at 60+ Tips for safe driving as we age. Debra A. Kerrigan, MS, OTR/L Newton-Wellesley Hospital Department of Rehabilitation Services Drive Safe Program. Occupational Therapy. “Skills for the Job of Living”. Why Do We Drive?. Independence Freedom Convenience

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Debra A. Kerrigan, MS, OTR/L Newton-Wellesley Hospital Department of Rehabilitation Services

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  1. Steering Clear at 60+ Tips for safe driving as we age Debra A. Kerrigan, MS, OTR/L Newton-Wellesley Hospital Department of Rehabilitation Services Drive Safe Program

  2. Occupational Therapy “Skills for the Job of Living”

  3. Why Do We Drive? • Independence • Freedom • Convenience • Connection and contribution to the community, friends, family • Respect • Pride of owning a vehicle (DriveWell1)

  4. Changes in Cars • How are today’s cars different ? (DriveWell1)

  5. Changes in Roads • What about the roads and driving today? • How has driving changed? (DriveWell1)

  6. Changes That Can Affect Safe Driving for Older Adults • Vision • Strength, flexibility and reflexes • Health conditions like arthritis • Memory (DriveWell1)

  7. Vision

  8. Adapting to Vision Changes • Adjust mirrors properly before driving • Check rearview mirror every 10 to 20 seconds • Turn your head and look before changing lanes or merging with traffic • Other tips…. (DriveWell1)

  9. Strength, Flexibility & Reflexes Aging may bring diminished • muscle strength to legs, arms, and handgrip—all important for vehicle control • flexibility to look over the shoulder for checking traffic • reaction time to respond to traffic or road hazards (DriveWell1)

  10. Adapting to Physical Changes • Physical Activity • Strengthening • Stretching • Endurance • Balance development • Adaptive Equipment

  11. Medications Older adults may be more susceptible to adverse or strong reactions • May take more medications, which increases the likelihood for interaction • The body may not use medications as effectively and reacts more strongly to even lower doses (DriveWell1)

  12. Medication Tips • Be aware of your reaction to medications, vitamins, and supplements. • New medicine: Ask doctor or pharmacist about side effects. • Medication makes you dizzy or drowsy: Talk to doctor. • Adjust your driving schedule to accommodate the reaction.

  13. Mental Fitness Driving a car requires: • Making decisions quickly which requires mental alertness. • Switching attention quickly to many situations happening on the road. • Dividing attention to perform many tasks such as steering, shifting gears checking mirrors and looking ahead. (DriveWell1)

  14. Staying Mentally Fit (DriveWell1)

  15. Tips for Staying Focused:Eliminate distractions • Organize your trip • Sunglasses in easy reach • Money ready for tolls • Read your map before you start your trip • Control your environment • Turn the radio/music down or off • Ask passengers to keep conversations down • Watch your temper • Drive on familiar roads (DriveWell1)

  16. Sleep & Rest • Improve concentration on the road by getting enough sleep and rest • Practice habits of sleep health • Avoid naps • Develop a regular time to go to bed • Do some physical activity each day • Eat a light meal in the evening • Avoid drinking tea, coffee, or cocoa 6 hours before bedtime (DriveWell1)

  17. Alcohol Use (DriveWell1)

  18. Talking it Over • When • Talk about driving before a problem develops. • Why • The discussion is about your connection to the community and your control over your future. • Driving discussions affect others—families, loved ones and friends, and those in the community that rely on you. (DriveWell1)

  19. Warning Signs & Strategies

  20. To Drive or Not to Drive? • Most older drivers are safe • Many older drivers self-restrict • Majority of older drivers in the United States will outlive their ability to drive by about 7 to 10 years3 • Objective assessments and driver rehabilitation can be helpful • “Driving is considered a privilege but mobility is a human right”2

  21. Who Does Driving Evaluations? • RMV: • Evaluators lack specialized knowledge of health conditions and aging • Driver Rehabilitation Specialists • Specialized training • Driving instructors: knowledge of driving • Occupational therapists: knowledge of driving + medical conditions

  22. Driving Evaluations Clinical Assessment of Underlying Skills for Driving + On-Road Assessment of Driving Performance ________________________________________________ Driving Recommendations

  23. Closing • Thank you! • Program Evaluation

  24. References 1American Society on Aging & National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. (2007). DriveWell: Promoting older driver safety and mobility in your community. U.S. Department of Transportation. DOT HS 809 838. 2Eby, D. W., & Molnar, L. J. (2008). “2008 North American License Policies Workshop Proceedings.” AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety. Available: http://www.aaafoundation.org/pdf/LPWorkshopProceedings.pdf 3Foley, D.J., Heimovitz, H.K., Guralnik, J., and Brock, D. (August 2002). “Driving life expectancy of persons aged 70 years and older in the United States.” American Journal of Public Health 92(8):1284–89.

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