Staff report
Therapists from Salisbury’s Lutheran Home at Trinity Oaks are conducting “CarFit” checkups today.
Older adult drivers can get their vehicles checked at Trinity Oaks while trained volunteers in the safety program go over a 12-point checklist on how well the drivers and their cars work together.
“As we age, changes in our vision, flexibility, strength, range of motion and even size and height may make us less comfortable and reduce our control behind the wheel,” said Suzanne Worley, occupational therapist.
“CarFit provides older adults with the tools to understand and apply the safety features of their vehicles.”
The CarFit program was created by the San Francisco-based American Society on Aging and developed in collaboration with AAA, AARP and the American Occupational Therapy Association.
Among the items checked:
Is the person positioned correctly in the driver’s seat?
Can the person reach the pedals easily?
Does the person know how to adjust mirrors properly or have the flexibility to use the mirrors?
After the rundown is complete, the drivers visit with an occupational therapist who, if needed, discusses ways drivers can maintain and improve aspects related to their driving health.
The therapists also provide information about local community resources on exercise, nutrition and other programs to keep the drivers safe on the road.
Follow-up questionnaires used to evaluate the program among the therapists and drivers have given the CarFit program high marks from those who have gone through it.
Of the participants, 90 percent said it was useful and would recommend it to family members or friends. Other findings from evaluations in 2005:
– 37 percent of the CarFit participants had at least one red flag; 18 percent, two or more.
Occupational therapists or driver rehabilitation specialists demonstrate devices and techniques to address concerns that are considered high-priority safety issues.
– 88 percent of the drivers reported making at least one change after participating in the CarFit program.
– The most frequent things resulting from CarFit were changes to head restraints, 54 percent; the left outside mirror, 42 percent; the right outside mirror, 34 percent; and the distance between the chest and steering wheel, 28 percent.
– After the CarFit event, nearly 60 percent of the participants said they had discussed their own driving with friends, relatives, a physician or other health care providers.
“It is critically important that mature drivers make safety a personal priority,” Worley said. “Driving today is more difficult than ever because of increased traffic congestion, longer commute distances, larger vehicles and faster speeds.
“Older drivers can take important measures themselves to mitigate the stress associated with driving.”
AAA clubs and AARP chapters also provide refresher courses or occupational therapy driving evaluation programs for individualized assessments and recommendations.
Another CarFit event, this one open to the public, will be held May 27 at Trinity Oaks as part of National Senior Health and Fitness Day. Contact Worley at 704-517-6893 for information on participating in this educational program for mature drivers.