Keeping Older Adults on the Road: The Role of Occupational Therapists and Other Aging Specialists.

Driving is a basic activity of daily life for most people in the United States after they reach the age of 16. Being able to get around in one's community gives a sense of independence, a role and identity among peers. The ability to leave home to work, pray, shop, or attend medical appointments or just to "get away" is important to everyone. The desire for this freedom does not necessarily change as we age or become injured or disabled. Some people may never own a car or learn to drive, but of course transportation is also an activity of daily life for them as well. They may use buses or rail transportation rather than cars, so a transportation system that meets their mobility needs is critical. This article will explore the resources that occupational therapists can bring to the community and the transportation industry to support safe driving among older adults. ROLE OF THE OCCUPATIONAL THERAPIST Currently, many transportation specialists and others are focusing on helping older adults stay safely on the road for as long as possible. When safe driving is no longer possible, older people, healthcare professionals, caregivers, and others must work together to develop options that will enable the nondrivers to get around in their communities. Occupational therapists could play a vital role in assessing the actual driving capability of older drivers who are thought to be potential risks. When appropriate, these therapists can provide older adults with driver rehabilitation services and educate older drivers and licensing agency staff about transportation options. Contributions from various healthcare professionals, including occupational therapists, may enable older drivers to maintain their driving ability longer and operate their vehicles more confidently and safely. Kerschner and Aizenberg (1999) held a series of focus groups on transportation in an aging society and analyzed the themes that emerged. Their work can help efforts to advocate for an expansion in transportation systems as society ages. They reported as follows: Similar to previous research studies, the findings emphasize the dominance of the private automobile as a mode of transportation for seniors as well as the perceived and real inadequacies of transportation options. Further, while it seems that many seniors at least say they will do just about anything to continue to drive, there is a lack of awareness and limited understanding of how to compensate for driving limitations and how driver assessment might help. Older adults recognize that driving is important in their daily lives. Ability to drive has a great effect on quality of life in many ways, including social. As people age, however, they do not necessarily consider or anticipate their transportation needs. When they move to a new home, how to get around is not often one of the considerations in the move or purchase. Kerschner and Aizenberg (1999) wrote that "the focus group findings suggest that if people have stopped driving, especially because of health and functional limitations, they usually are not active walkers. " Because of their physical limitations, they may have difficulty using public transportation. Assisting older adults with using public transportation is not just a matter of helping the potential user learn how to obtain the schedules. A long walk to the transit stop, waiting in all weather conditions, lifts that do not work, and bus drivers and others who are unsympathetic to the needs of older adults can make using public transportation a negative experience. To make the experience more positive, occupational therapists can coordinate with area transportation agencies to give older adults the opportunity to board buses, try out die lifts, and meet the drivers serving their areas. Consultation with transportation planners may lead to more shelters that are accessible by more people. Annual sensitivity training for transit drivers will help ensure the safety and comfort of older riders and riders with disabilities. …