Anyone who is concerned about their ability to safely drive after an illness or injury or needs assistance identifying what vehicle modifications are needed to safely drive or ride. Driving Solutions specializes in working with the older driver and person with a disability.
Other areas of cognition may also be declining when you notice memory deficits. Difficulty with new learning, problem solving, judgment, interpretation of symbols (road signs), slowed response times, lack of awareness and insight, along with memory loss will affect one's ability to safely drive. A decline in cognition often indicates, it is time to have driving skills assessed.
A driving evaluation may be warranted after any illness or injury. The Pre-Driving evaluation involves assessing reaction times, how your arms, legs, and eyes are working, and various cognitive and perceptual skills. A Behind-the-Wheel driving evaluation may then be performed to assess your ability to maneuver a vehicle and respond safely in traffic. Adaptations, such as a left accelerator pedal, a spinner knob, or a right cross over turn signal may be recommended to assist someone who has paralysis or weakness, resume driving again.
Aging is very individualized and chronological age is not a predictor of one's driving capabilities. Aging and the onset of medical conditions can affect driving skills and put the older driver at risk for crashes. If you are concerned, it is time to have driving skills assessed.
Conditions such as stroke, Parkinson's Disease, arthritis, dementia, diabetes, or peripheral neuropathy may impair leg strength and coordination. This may result in miscalculation of foot placement on the brake or gas pedals or result in slower reaction times. The Pre-Driving and Behind-the-Wheel driving evaluation can help determine if one has adequate responses to continue to safely drive.
The effects of Alzheimer's dementia, vascular dementia, drug-induced dementia, or other conditions that effect cognition (mild cognitive impairment, multiple sclerosis, Parkinson's disease, traumatic brain injury, stroke, etc.) may vary from individual to individual. It's best to discuss driving early in the diagnosis. A driving evaluation now can help establish a baseline of driving skills, provide an opportunity to improve driving skills, and foster communication about driving and driving "retirement."
Assessment of your physical capacities, mobility aide, and vehicle help determine what you need to drive, ride, and transport your wheelchair or scooter. A written prescription then helps the equipment vendor install the appropriate equipment to meet your specific driving needs. This evaluation is beneficial to those who need to transport their wheelchair or scooter or who may need to drive from their wheelchair due to difficulty transferring independently. An evaluation will help you install the appropriate equipment to meet your individual needs based on your abilities.
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