TZD Tuesday - Older Driver Safety Awareness Week

The first week in December is reserved each year to recognize Older Driver Safety Awareness Week. The goal is to raise awareness about older driver safety, but It’s also a reminder that simply getting older doesn’t mean it's time to hang up the keys. It might just be time to evaluate how you, or your loved ones, drive. A person’s driving performance – not age – is what determines fitness to drive. As we age, our ability to drive safely is affected by natural changes such as declining vision, flexibility and reactions. Although medical conditions can affect driving ability, many still wish to drive in order to maintain their independence.

Occupational therapists can help achieve this by:

• Providing a comprehensive driving evaluation.
• Identifying changes early.
• Teaching techniques to keep drivers in the driver’s seat.
• Modifying vehicles with adaptive equipment.

Discussing driving abilities can be a difficult conversation to have, but with early intervention Occupational Therapy can enhance well-being and keep drivers in the driver’s seat longer. Together, we can drive Minnesota Toward Zero Deaths.