Resources for Families and Caregivers

Families, partners and friends play a large role in older driver safety.  Resources to help prepare families and caregivers to discuss driving concerns, including the process to reduce or cease driving, can be found on this web page.

Research indicates that discussions between older drivers and families and friends can be effective in helping the older driver with the issues of aging and safe driving.

In a survey conducted by The Hartford/MIT AgeLab of 7,200 adults aged 50 and older, more than half followed the suggestions made in conversations about driving.

Even when family members, friends, and providers are willing to tackle these difficult conversations, research shows they want more information with which to begin the discussion.

Families can be better prepared for the discussion by having:

• A list of signs and “symptoms” indicating driving problems;

• Tips on observing the older driver’s driving abilities;

• Assistance in understanding the meaning of driving from the loved one’s perspective;

• Suggestions on how to begin the driving discussion;

• Ideas on how best to talk about appropriate driving choices and ways to travel around the community;

• A list of community resources for driving evaluation and remediation;

• Strategies for driving reduction or retirement; and

• Checking out local transportation alternatives, some of which can be accessed under the Transportation Alternatives tab on this Web site.

See the American Medical Association (AMA) publication "How To Help The Older Driver" which can be accessed at this link:  http://www.ama-assn.org/ama1/pub/upload/mm/433/help_older_driver.pdf

Some reasons conversations are not brought up:

• their response;

• fear of seeming disrespectful;

• family may not want to deal with their role in meeting transportation needs;

• if the driver is the only one in household, isolation for them and other person may be a factor;

• older driver may not want to burden others for rides;

• discussion is postponed until a crisis has occurred - a poor time for developing a transportation plan.

The American Occupational Therapy Association (AOTA) has valuable information for caregivers and families and their web site can be accessed at this link:  http://www1.aota.org/olderdriver/consumers.html and they also publish brochures, publications, and fact sheets, one of which is "Keeping the Older Driver Safe" which can be accessed at this link: http://www.aota.org/Consumers/Tips/Adults/OlderDrivers/35123.aspx

The Florida Association of Area Agencies on Aging also offers a wide range of services designed to address the needs of seniors and caregivers. A listing of these agencies can be accessed at this link: http://www.f4a.org/contact.html

Cessation from Driving

For most Americans, a driver's license is considered the first outward and visible step toward becoming an adult. Today, many of us see cars as physical extensions of ourselves - transporting us wherever we want, whenever we want, like a high-speed second pair of legs.

The key for a positive transition to giving up the car keys is PLANNING.

There are a variety of resources and information to assist families and caregivers with the issue of driving cessation. For more information visit these web sites by accessing these links:

AARP's "We Need to Talk": http://www.aarp.org/families/driver_safety/driver_safetyissues/a2004-06-21-whentostop.html

AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety's "How To Help An Older Driver": http://www.seniordrivers.org/notdriving/notdriving.cfm

The Hartford's "Family Conversations with Older Drivers": http://www.thehartford.com/talkwitholderdrivers

More resources can be found on the Driving Skills web page.

Getting Around

One of the reasons many older drivers continue to drive is because they feel they have no other options to get them to the places they need and want to go.  Transportation resources can be found on the Transportation Alternatives web page.

Respite Care

RELIEF is the DOEA's program that offers in-home respite that is an expansion of respite currently available through other programs, including evening and weekend respite. The purpose of this service is to increase the ability of a family unit to continue to care for a homebound elderly individual by providing in-home respite beyond the basic provisions of current public programs. Information on this program can be accessed at this link: http://www.elderaffairs.state.fl.us/english/relief.html

The Florida Respite Coalition supports providers, families and caregivers in their ongoing responsibility of caring for loved ones with special needs or circumstances. The organization’s web site can be accessed at this link: http://www.floridarespite.org
Included is a calendar of events and other news, the location of regional offices, and other resource information.

The Coalition is a member of the National Family Caregivers Association which includes information and resources for family members and other providers of respite care services. Their web site can be accessed at this link: http://www.nfcacares.org

Information for Physicians on Counseling Older Drivers

The safety of older drivers has long been a concern of the AMA and the American Academy of Family Physicians. As associations representing and speaking to doctors, each has developed manuals and information pages to assist members and medical colleagues in counseling older drivers. NHTSA sponsored the development of the AMA Physician's Guide to Assessing and Counseling Older Drivers that can be accessed at this link: http://www.nhtsa.dot.gov/people/injury/olddrive

The AMA web site also has information on why older drivers are at risk: http://www.ama-assn.org/ama/pub/category/8925.html

Each state has its own licensing and license renewal criteria for drivers of private motor vehicles. In addition, certain states require physicians to report unsafe drivers or drivers with specific medical conditions to the driver licensing agency. The "State Licensing Requirements and Reporting Laws" document contains licensing agency contact information, license requirements and renewal criteria, reporting procedures, and Medical Advisory Board information listed by state. These materials are provided to physicians as a reference to aid them in discharging their legal responsibilities and can be accessed at this link: http://www.ama-assn.org/ama1/pub/upload/mm/433/chapter8.pdf

Information on Florida’s Medical Advisory Board which is governed by Section 322.125, F.S., can be accessed at this link:
http://www.flsenate.gov/Statutes/index.cfm?App_mode=Display_Statute&Search_String=&URL=Ch0322/
SEC125.HTM&Title=->2007->Ch0322->Section%20125#0322.125

The American Association of Family Practice Physician's "Decisions About Driving Tool Kit" includes self assessment exam resources for those who can no longer drive, information for the family, and health and safety tips. This tool kit can be accessed at this link: https://secure.aafp.org/catalog/viewItem.do?number=978

DrivingHealth.com, which is sponsored by TransAnalytics Health & Safety Services includes information on medical fitness to drive, medications that might impair driving, screening and assessment, and training/remediation. This information can be accessed at this link: http://www.drivinghealth.com/about.htm

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