Older Driver Safety Awareness Week (December 4-8, 2017) aims to promote the importance of mobility and transportation to ensure older adults remain in the community (i.e., shopping, working, volunteering, etc.) AAA, along with the American Occupational Therapy Association (AOTA), suggests discussing these important older driver safety topics throughout the week:

Anticipating Changes That Can Affect Driving

Whether we want to admit it or not, aging is inevitable. The ability to drive safely can be affected by changes in our physical, emotional and cognitive health. Although changes are a part of normal aging, they occur individually and at different rates and times. Just as one plans for retirement, it's important to plan for transportation needs. Proactive, early planning is paramount to continued independence and safety. 

Family Conversations

One of the first steps in addressing older driver safety is having a nonthreatening conversation with our loved ones. Family and friends play a major role in discussions about older driver safety, and it is better to start the conversation early, allowing time for planning and the exploration of options long before any crisis or accident.

Screening and Evaluations with an Occupational Therapist

"Driving fitness evaluations" may seem confusing, as they range from self-assessments to a professional comprehensive driving evaluation from an occupational therapist. It is important for older drivers and their family members to understand the service they are getting, so they can act on the results in a meaningful way.

Interventions That Can Empower Drivers

Driving interventions is based on a plan that is drawn between the driver and an occupational therapist. The goal of an intervention is to explore ways for individuals to drive safely for as long as possible. Occupational therapy practitioners trained in driving rehabilitation can suggest a broad range of solutions, tailored to the individual driver. Suggestions may include adaptive equipment, which they can assist with.

Staying Engaged in the Community

When an older driver discovers the need to make adjustments to drive safely or can no longer do so, family and friends can help him or her take these changes in stride. Losing one's ability to drive, limiting the amount of driving or changing the way one drives does not have to mean losing independence, and older adults have options to continue to stay involved in their communities. 

AAA offers various resources for older drivers and their families. Learn more.