NBC TODAY Show Highlights Older Driver Safety

NBC TODAY Show Highlights Older Driver Safety

Albany OT and Her Mother Discuss Ways They Have Addressed Driver Safety

BETHESDA, Md., Feb. 2 /PRNewswire/ -- The top-rated morning news show TODAY performed an important public service, highlighting the issue of older driver safety. The report featured Linda McCumber, an occupational therapist from Albany, New York and her Mother, Alma Raab from Long Island. They are working together to address the proper actions that will enable Alma to keep driving safely as she gets older.

"My work as an occupational therapist gives me special insight into the aging process," said McCumber. "My Mother would often drive from her home on Long Island to visit me, but the aging process was making the drive more difficult. I knew that there were steps we could take that would enable her to continue driving safely."

The American Occupational Therapy Association (AOTA) in conjunction with National Highway Transportation Safety Administration and the Centers for Disease Control has been promoting the use of OT as an intervention for older drivers.

Occupational therapists have the science-based knowledge to understand progressive conditions and life changes that can affect driving. Because occupational therapists take the time to understand the role that driving plays in your life, they are able to help individuals make a smoother transition from driving to using other forms of transportation. In doing so, they help people maintain their autonomy, independence, and sense of worth.

Occupational therapists can help families address safety for older drivers by taking the following steps:

-- Evaluate older adults to determine any physical, visual, or
cognitive limitations that could affect how he or she is able to
drive a car.

-- Conduct an on-the-road driving test to determine how problems
identified in the evaluation affect a person's ability to drive
safely.

-- Provide training to drivers that improves their ability to drive
safely.

-- Recommend adaptive equipment and train older drivers how to use the
equipment to help them continue to drive and get around safely and
appropriately.

-- Help the older adult identify alternate forms of transportation,
such as public transportation, if it becomes clear that the client
should no longer drive or should modify when they drive.

-- Consult with friends and family of an older driver about his or her
abilities and how they can ensure the older adult is able to
continue participating in activities that give meaning to his or her
life.

-- Assist the older adult who is no longer able to drive to identify
meaningful activities that do not require driving.

For more information on older driver safety, please point your web browser to -- http://www.aota.org/olderdriver

About the American Occupational Therapy Association

Founded in 1917, the American Occupational Therapy Association (AOTA) is the nationally recognized professional association of approximately 35,000 occupational therapists, occupational therapy assistants, and students of occupational therapy. AOTA advances the quality, availability, use and support of occupational therapy through advocacy, education and research on behalf of its members and the public. For more information, visit us on the Web at http://www.aota.org/.

About Occupational Therapy

Occupational therapy is a proven, recognized therapy that enables people to overcome the disabling effects of mental, physical, developmental, and emotional conditions by helping improve their ability to perform tasks in their living and working environments. Practitioners work with individuals to improve their basic motor functions and reasoning abilities, and also to compensate for permanent loss of function. The goal of occupational therapy is to help individuals lead independent, productive and satisfying lives through participation.

CONTACT: Rob Black of American Occupational Therapy Association, +1-301-652-6611, x 2963, cell: +1-202-288-3702 or praota@aota.org

Source: American Occupational Therapy Association

CONTACT: Rob Black of American Occupational Therapy Association,
+1-301-652-6611, x 2963, cell: +1-202-288-3702 or praota@aota.org

Web site: http://www.aota.org/
http://www.aota.org/olderdriver

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