Driving is a privilege, but also a necessary skill to manage independently in our community. When vision, hearing, physical or cognitive health becomes challenged, this may affect how safe we feel behind the wheel. How do we know when it’s time to turn in our keys, and who do we ask?
What are my options?
This topic can feel difficult to discuss, as losing the independence to drive, may leave us feeling like a burden to family, or isolated from social activities. However, if you are questioning your ability to drive there are some things you can do to determine if you are putting yourself at risk.
1.) Your doctor may advise you to see an Occupational Therapist or Driver Rehab Specialist to evaluate your driving skills, using car simulators. These specialists are qualified to make the decision if you are fit to drive and communicate the results with your doctor and in some cases, the state DMV.
2.) CarFit Events, (developed by AARP and the American Occupational Therapy Association), can also provide you with resources on how to enhance your seating and safety within your vehicle. Visit https://car-fit.org for a location near you. Balance in Motion is also available to modify or adapt your vehicle for optimal functionality.
3.) Identifying your concerns and evaluating the causes with a trained medical professional will enable you to determine your safety behind the wheel. Perhaps you notice a decrease in your neck range of motion, your reaction time, shoulder pain, or difficulty getting in/out of the vehicle. Do your ankles feel stiff, or do you feel pain in your knee when you press hard on the brake? Maybe you feel overstimulated by GPS and would benefit from guidance on where it should be placed, or how to use it correctly.
Need help identifying your deficits? That’s our specialty! At Balance in Motion, we provide repetitive training, a useful tool to increase muscle memory, strength, endurance, and confidence. Your personal concerns become the focus of care. Watch your goals become reality with one-on-one staff support and training strategies tweaked to your specific needs. Your therapist will guide you through identifying strategies to achieve the skills most important to you.
Being Proactive
Regardless of age, driving can be a dangerous environment. Keeping fit in a physical and cognitive sense, is the best way we can maintain our ability to stay on the road safely. So who does hold the final decision on when you should stop driving? The local licensing agency has the power to restrict or revoke a license based off of reports from doctors, employers, or family. However, the decisions YOU make to stay fit will impact how confident you feel behind the wheel. If you are feeling uneasy about driving, talk to your family and doctor about what options may be best for you. Balance in Motion is here to support your concerns and coach you through strategies to improve skills required for safe driving.
