DRIVE SAFE

1. DRIVE SAFE Presented by Comfort Keepers

2. HOW DOES AGING AFFECT DRIVING CAPABILITIES: Driving requires: • skill • quick decision-making • excellent vision • good hearing. • a clear mind and good memory All of these can decline as people get older, no matter how good they were at driving when they were younger.

3. AS WE AGE, WE DEVELOP MEMORY PROBLEMS: People with memory problems have difficulty doing the following: • finding the way • awareness of other driver’s actions • observing traffic signs and signals • reacting quickly in an emergency

4. AND THEN THERE IS DEMENTIA… Driving is particularly difficult for people with Alzheimer's or stroke-related dementia: • they may become confused, or panic • unable to make decisions on a busy road • they may not be able to understand that they are impaired, even after after an accident • BUT may have enough clarity to pass driver, only later to have a fatal accident.

5. RISK FACTORS FOR IMPAIRED DRIVING ABILITY: • illness and medications can cause a decline in depth perception, mobility and understanding • poor vision — especially night vision • hearing problems

6. RISK FACTORS FOR IMPAIRED DRIVING ABILITY: • reduced mobility, such as difficulty turning head • physical weakness and impairments • drowsiness and fatigue • poor concentration • slow reflexes • disorientation

7. SIGNS OF IMPAIRED DRIVING ABILITY • improper and unsafe turns, including turns that are too wide and too sharp • unsafe passing • lane changing without checking • failure to yield right of way • weaving • missed traffic signs or stop lights • stopping at green lights

8. SIGNS OF IMPAIRED DRIVING ABILITY • difficulty backing up • improper entrance onto and exit from highways • confusion at highway entrances and merges • driving wrong way on highways • slow driving • slow response to changes in driving and traffic conditions

9. WHEN SHOULD SOMEONE STOP DRIVING? Age is not necessarily a factor. Here is a checklist to help you: • Do you get lost or disoriented easily? • Have you gotten lost going somewhere familiar? • Does it take you a long time to reach your destination? • Do you sometimes not reach your destination?

10. WHEN SHOULD SOMEONE STOP DRIVING? • Do you confuse the brake and accelerator pedals • Difficulty working the pedals or turning head fully to check blind spots when changing lanes? • Do other drivers honk at you frequently? • Are you hearing impaired and you don't use hearing aids?

11. WHEN SHOULD SOMEONE STOP DRIVING? • Have you had one or more serious falls in the last two years? • Are you on required medications that cause sleepiness or dizziness? • Certain medical conditions e.g. heart disease, sleep apnea, seizures • Have you had more than one stroke or been diagnosed with Alzheimer's dementia?

12. WHEN SHOULD SOMEONE STOP DRIVING? • Has driving become a "team sport"? – requiring a family member to assist driving safely? • Do family members and friends refuse to ride with you or express concern about your driving ability? • Do you have unexplained dents in the car?

13. WHEN SHOULD SOMEONE STOP DRIVING? • Have you received two or more traffic tickets in the past two years • Have you been involved in more than one collision and/or "near miss" in the past year? • Has anyone told you, you should stop driving? • Have you recently been stopped by a policeman who questioned how you were driving?

14. While seniors on a per capita basis are not involved in more accidents than other age groups, once involved in a traffic mishap they are at greater risk of serious injury or death.

15. IF THERE IS A PROBLEM, WHAT DO WE DO?

16. GET THE DOCTOR INVOLVED The doctor can evaluate you or your loved one for conditions that might be a problem. He/She can should arrange a: • physical exam • eye exam • cognitive assessment, if Alzheimer’s Disease or other dementia is suspected

17. OPTIONS • Seek a Professional Driving Evaluation • Have your or your parents’ license reviewed by the Ministry of Transportation.

18. SEEK A PROFESSIONAL DRIVING EVALUATION • A typical assessment lasts 3 hours in duration • It will include: • a 2-hour physical-cognitive in-clinic assessment with an Occupational Therapist • a 1-hour in-vehicle assessment conducted by a Certified Driving Instructor in a modified vehicle, attended by the Occupational Therapist.

19. SEEK A PROFESSIONAL DRIVING EVALUATION You can get an driving assessment at: Drive Lab Inc. 905-581-9391 or 1-877-967-5522Website: www.drivelab.ca

20. DRIVER’S LICENSE WILL BE REVIEWED IF: • Doctor’s report is sent to the Medical Review Board -or- • A Police report, recording accidents, convictions, etc. is sent to the Medical Review Board

21. SENIORS’ LICENCE TESTING • A written test • A group interview • An eye examination • Road test might be required –at examiner’s discretion only!

22. NOT A PERFECT SYSTEM • One client had 4 accidents in a 12 month period, one which involved a pedestrian • He was not retested because neither his doctor, nor the police would submit a report to the Medical Review Board.

23. NUMBERS TO CALL: Medical Review Board: • 416 235 – 1773 Driver Control • This office deals with collisions and can also request a medical review from the Medical Review Board • 416 235 – 1086 Senior’s Driving Area • They are responsible for scheduling driving tests for seniors • 416 235 – 5427

24. WHEN PERSON CAN NO LONGER DRIVE,THEY MAY FEEL: • depressed • sad • frustrated • angry Losing your driver's license can be a devastating experience

25. DISCUSSING THE SITUATION • Even talking about discontinuing driving will be a negative topic • Try to involve the person in question as much as possible • Discuss the situation with the driver in a: • non-threatening environment • over a long period of time – don’t rush the conversation

26. DISCUSSION POINTS • Help the person understand that the illness is at fault, not them. • Let them know that they or someone else could be injured. • Compare the cost of owning and maintaining a car with the cost of using alternative transportation.

27. DISCUSSING THE SITUATION • Be cautious when discussing the driving issue with a person whose illness may cause aggressive behaviour • Have a family member, health professional, police officer, or a trusted person, such as family friend or clergy present, if you have concerns the discussion might upset the person.

28. DISCUSSING THE SITUATION • If you are not comfortable talking to them, have the news come from a third party — a letter from the family physician, or a letter from the insurance company advising that they will no longer insure them. • Have someone the driver trusts ask him to hand over his license

29. IF DISCUSSION DOESN’T WORK Try some radical strategies: • hide or remove the car keys • modify the car so that it cannot be driven (e.g. disengaging the car battery) • remove the car from sight • contact the auto insurance company and explain the situation

30. IF DISCUSSION DOESN’T WORK: • These actions often have traumatic results and should be an absolute last resort. • To help make the situation easier, help the former driver remain independent by suggesting viable alternatives.

31. ALTERNATIVES TO DRIVING • Local churches, social clubs, service clubs • Volunteer organizations • Regular or wheelchair taxi • Friends, family • Use family members and friends effectively by finding out when they can drive the person to regular activities and appointments rather than waiting on an adhoc basis.

32. ALTERNATIVES TO DRIVING • Community access bus (scheduled or call-ahead service) • Public transportation • Companies such as Comfort Keepers that can provide friendly, accompanied transportation