The American Occupational Therapy Association and other organizations are taking the first full week of December to raise awareness on ways to keep older drivers safe on the roads.
AOTA has partnered with AAA, AARP, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration and other organizations in order to raise awareness with Older Driver Safety Awareness Week from Dec. 7-11. And it’s a topic that gets more relevant by the year, as it’s estimated that 1 in 5 Americans will be 70 or older by 2040.
“Just as we plan for our financial futures, we need to plan for our transportation futures as we age,” project coordinator of AOTA’s Older Driver Safety Initiative Elin Davis said. “Respecting the physical, cognitive, and sensory changes that come with age may require adjustments in driving patterns, vehicle equipment, or a skills refresher, but do not have to mean giving up the keys and living in isolation without access to transportation.”
Each day of the week will cover a different topic related to senior’s driving. AOTA has created a webpage and a podcast for each topic:
- Monday, Dec. 7: Anticipating Changes That Can Affect Driving.
- Tuesday, Dec. 8: Family Conversations.
- Wednesday, Dec. 9: Screening and Evaluations With an Occupational Therapist.
- Thursday, Dec. 10: Interventions That Can Empower Drivers.
- Friday, Dec. 11: Staying Engaged in the Community.