Physicians and Therapists Deal With Seniors and Driving

A visit with a medical professional is a time for check-ups, discussion, and diagnosis and treatment of ailments. When a patient has suffered a stroke, hip fracture, or had a bout with pneumonia, this is an alert to doctors and therapists that the patient’s driving skills will be affected. The question is, how much of an effect will the illness have and how long will it last? The professionals are in the position of helping their patients come to terms with diminished abilities and finding new ways of compensating for the possible cessation of driving.

Laird Findlay MD, at Providence Physician’s Group in Everett, finds that some patients get defensive when asked about their driving skills and some don’t acknowledge that there is a problem at all—a situation that is often related to cognitive impairment. “If they’ve had a stroke, they know they can’t drive,” says Dr. Findlay. “If they have Alzheimer’s, they don’t know they can’t.” He will seek involvement from the patient’s family members in encouraging their senior loved one to either reduce driving or stop altogether, because the doctor’s role is actually somewhat limited by legal regulations. Dr. Findlay will suggest to certain patients that they go see a driver rehabilitation specialist, if they seem receptive to the idea. He will also tell his patients if he thinks they need to cease driving and he’ll make note of the conversation in their medical records. That way, if the patient gets a ticket or has a car accident, the insurance company will have a basis for cancelling the policy (if needed) and the driver’s license will likely be revoked.

Physical and occupational therapists help patients gain mobility and function better at daily activities. Doctors will notify them if a particular patient shows signs of not being able to perform physical functions. In this instance, therapists at Summit Pacific Rehabilitation will have their patients take a self-assessment test called “Am I a Safe Driver?” The assessment asks whether statements like the following apply to them:

• I get lost while driving.
• My friends and family members say they are worried about my driving.
• Left-hand turns make me nervous.
• Busy intersections bother me.
• People will no longer accept rides from me.

These statements are indications that a senior’s safety may be at risk while driving. The assessment also offers a number of tips, including taking a safe driver course.

Summit Pacific therapists Kelly Cooney, Rob Williams, and Kelley Wells agree with Dr. Findlay’s conclusion that family involvement is the key in helping patients make lifestyle changes, especially when any dementia-related disease is the issue. Therapists can also help patients come up with a transportation plan after the decision to stop driving has been made. Dr. Findlay notes that because our culture is so car-dependent, a lot of seniors who have been longtime drivers are reticent to ask for help. “They’re used to taking care of others,” he says. “It takes courage to accept help.” 

Author: Michele Horwitz