The baby boomer generation is entering their retirement years living longer and being more active than any previous generation. These older adults are expressing a desire and an expectation that they will remain mobile in their community and enjoy the associated freedoms that come from driving for as much of their lifespan as possible. Regardless of profession, most service providers will be working with older adults in the next several decades. Understanding the public health implication of an aging population and applying the levels of prevention is essential to injury prevention efforts.
What we know Anticipating the increase in the number of mature drivers in the Commonwealth, and recognizing the need to help older drivers stay safe on …show more content…
The American Automobile Association has an online tool that is useful in keeping skills fresh. CarFit is a program that helps the older adult with modifications that make his/her interface with the vehicle functional.
• At the secondary prevention level the issues that have caused a loss of driving ability are addressed. This may mean modifying medication regiments, referring for substance abuse treatment or sending a driver to a rehabilitation specialist who can assist with skill remediation or vehicle modifications.
• Tertiary prevention is focused on the cessation of driving when skills have diminished and are irretrievable. Alternative means of transportation should be explored as well as other needed services such as meals on wheels. The State of Virginia has developed a website www.granddriver.net that can point providers and caregivers to resources available.
Some Clinical Risk Factors “red flags” that may indicate Impaired …show more content…
The impact of multiple comorbidities in the driver is the subject of ongoing research. What is known is that some conditions have been associated with driving impairment because of both symptoms and treatment (ex, orthopedic injury treated with opioids.) Older adults generally not only take more medication, they are also more susceptible to unwanted side effects.
The Beers Criteria lists medications that are considered inappropriate for the older adult and should not be used or if used, monitored closely. http://www.pharmacist.com/node/84786 This list is useful when checking a driver’s medication list.
Adverse effects of certain medications, such as drowsiness can impact the ability to focus and drive safely. Whenever a new medication is prescribed or the dosage of a current medication is changed, it is important to educate the individual about the drug and have him/her avoid driving until the effects of the drug are known. Older adults are particularly vulnerable during medication changes because they may already have delayed reaction time or cognitive processing speed and the combination of existing physical or cognitive losses with medication induced losses can lead to seriously impaired driving. Whenever possible, clinicians should select medications that will not impact driving performance. When prescribing new medications, clinicians should always consider the individual’s existing medication profile
What we know Anticipating the increase in the number of mature drivers in the Commonwealth, and recognizing the need to help older drivers stay safe on …show more content…
The American Automobile Association has an online tool that is useful in keeping skills fresh. CarFit is a program that helps the older adult with modifications that make his/her interface with the vehicle functional.
• At the secondary prevention level the issues that have caused a loss of driving ability are addressed. This may mean modifying medication regiments, referring for substance abuse treatment or sending a driver to a rehabilitation specialist who can assist with skill remediation or vehicle modifications.
• Tertiary prevention is focused on the cessation of driving when skills have diminished and are irretrievable. Alternative means of transportation should be explored as well as other needed services such as meals on wheels. The State of Virginia has developed a website www.granddriver.net that can point providers and caregivers to resources available.
Some Clinical Risk Factors “red flags” that may indicate Impaired …show more content…
The impact of multiple comorbidities in the driver is the subject of ongoing research. What is known is that some conditions have been associated with driving impairment because of both symptoms and treatment (ex, orthopedic injury treated with opioids.) Older adults generally not only take more medication, they are also more susceptible to unwanted side effects.
The Beers Criteria lists medications that are considered inappropriate for the older adult and should not be used or if used, monitored closely. http://www.pharmacist.com/node/84786 This list is useful when checking a driver’s medication list.
Adverse effects of certain medications, such as drowsiness can impact the ability to focus and drive safely. Whenever a new medication is prescribed or the dosage of a current medication is changed, it is important to educate the individual about the drug and have him/her avoid driving until the effects of the drug are known. Older adults are particularly vulnerable during medication changes because they may already have delayed reaction time or cognitive processing speed and the combination of existing physical or cognitive losses with medication induced losses can lead to seriously impaired driving. Whenever possible, clinicians should select medications that will not impact driving performance. When prescribing new medications, clinicians should always consider the individual’s existing medication profile