Newswise — For many seniors, the thought of hanging up the car keys might feel like an end to independence. But when the fatality rate per mile driven for older drivers — those aged 85 years and older — is nine times higher than the rate for drivers aged 25 to 69 years, it becomes a problem that seniors and their loved ones can no longer ignore.
That is why Paula Kartje, an occupational therapy clinical specialist with the University of Michigan Health System, is helping seniors to assess their driving before hanging up the car keys for good with the UMHS Drive Ability Program.
When it comes to older drivers Kartje says that no two people are alike. There is no bottom line or formula to tell people when they are too old to drive. And while having to stop driving may be the answer for some people, others who quit prematurely may cause their overall physical and mental well-being to decline.
"A senior's driving capability cannot be based solely on their age. I have seen some 85-year-olds that have functioned better than 60-year-olds," says Kartje.
Pay attention to the warning signs
There are different warning signals that indicate a problem behind the wheel. A driver or passenger should be aware of these signs: Feeling less comfortable, more nervous, or more fearful while driving.Having difficulty staying in the lane.Having more close call-almost accidents or traffic violations recently.Seeing more dents or scrapes on the car or on the fence, mailbox, garage door or curb.Hearing other drivers honking at you more often.Getting lost more often or losing track of where you parked.Having difficulty making decisions such as when is it clear to pull on to the street or judging the speed and distance between cars.A slower response to unexpected situations or any trouble moving your foot between the pedals.Confusing the two pedals.Finding it hard to check over the shoulder while backing up or changing lanes.
Before you hang up the keys
These warning signs are often an indicator that the driver may need to begin self-restricting their driving to only daytime hours, staying off the highways, and planning around rush hour traffic.
The driver may also want to look into refresher courses or assessment programs to work on those skills crucial to safe driving. These programs will help build confidence and help seniors keep their independence.
The U-M Drive Ability Program's goal is to keep people driving and independent, says Kartje. The program uses two different means to assess people's abilities—a clinical evaluation and an on-road evaluation.
The clinical evaluation and on-road evaluation assess:Medical history. Are there any health problems that could be affecting driving ability?
Driving history. Where are they driving, and how often? Have they imposed any restrictions?
Vision. How is the driver's peripheral vision, acuity and depth perception?
Eye use. Are drivers using their vision to scan the environment?
Range of motion, strength, coordination. Can the driver turn his or her head to check blind spots? Are they able to manage the pedals and steering wheel?
Reaction time. How fast can drivers respond to hazardous situations?
Concentration. Are the drivers able to focus and pay attention easily? Are they reading signs, following traffic lights and recognizing hazards?
Concerned about a loved one or friend?
Confronting a parent, loved one or friend can be difficult for everyone involved. Driving criticism is hard to take from anyone at any time, but especially difficult when the critic is a son or daughter who the parent taught to drive years ago!
"Having to intervene with a loved one's driving is a difficult situation for the family," says Kartje. "The ideal situation is that it gets noticed earlier on and there can begin to be some dialogue about driving, and how they might start to let other people drive them places."
There are a number of different steps to take when confronted with a loved one's or friend's unsafe driving:
Talk about it
Sit them down (don't talk to them about their driving while they are driving) and tell them your concern. Give specific examples about their driving that you have noticed. Be considerate about why driving is so important for your loved one.
Encourage your loved one to take a driving test or see a specialist Your parent or loved one could just need a refresher course. The specialists can also teach special techniques or suggest special driving equipment to help him or her drive safer.
Help make the transition
Have your loved one choose someone who will ride periodically with them and say when it is no longer safe to drive.
Help your loved one figure out alternatives to driving.
Build a weekly schedule of errands or visits your loved one makes in a week and detail out reliable people to give them rides to and from each event or errand. Make sure they always have rides to social outings and activities.
Create a list of names and phone numbers of friends and relatives who are willing to give rides.
Build a handy resource with maps, phone numbers of taxi cab services, shuttle services, or the bus routes. Ride the shuttle or bus with your loved one until they feel comfortable.
For more information:
University of Michigan Health System Drive Ability Program(734) 998-7911
American Occupational Therapists Association Older Driver Sitehttp://www.aota.org/olderdriver/
Association of Driver Rehabilitation Specialistshttp://www.aded.net
Written by Erin Block
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