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SALT LAKE CITY — Have you had "the talk" with your parents? We're talking about the car and the keys, not the birds and the bees.
A recent Caring.com report claims 14 million Americans were in an accident caused by an elderly person driving.
However, driving helps the elderly feel independent. Thankfully, there are programs to help keep everyone safe on the road. The University of Utah Health Care's Sugar House Rehabilitation Clinic is one of them.
JoAnn Maser, 64, has always driven since she was 16. "I just love driving," she said.
But after a fall earlier this year at her home in Rock Springs, Wyoming, Maser had to relearn to walk and drive so she could keep her car keys and her independence.
Sugar House Rehabilitation occupational therapist Abby White drove with Maser to test her skills behind the wheel.
The driving test is just one of the many evaluations offered at the clinic.
"It's just the unique chance for patients to gain their independence back or to determine if they're still safe to have that independence on the road," White said.
White works with all kinds of patients, those with brain injuries like Maser, as well as Parkinson's and Alzheimer's, and evaluates them on their driving.
One test checks reaction time and peripheral vision. Patients must hit a button as it lights up on a board.
"It gets my mind to start working," Maser said. "I've got to have the ability to react fast enough with a brake or a gas pedal or something else."
Before hitting the road, patients also drive a simulator while occupational therapists evaluate their cognitive choices.
"It feels really realistic, when you're waiting for each car, whatever they're going to do," Maser said while driving the simulator.
The clinic can't take someone's license away, but they do work with the patients, caregivers and doctors to develop a safety plan. White says that plan may include: driving retirement, restricting driving areas, speed limits and freeway access, staying close to home, and no nighttime or inclement weather driving and no long-distance driving.
"Driving is a pretty cognitively demanding task, and it not only impacts the person behind the wheel, but it impacts everyone on the road around them," White said.
Geriatrics Dr. Richard Lassere with Intermountain Southridge Clinic said, "It's frequently I hear patients say, well I've been a good driver all my life and have never had an accident. Past history is not what's important, what's important is right now."
Lassere also reminds his patients and their caregivers that driving ability is not determined by age but physical health and mental status.
"I think the family or the team needs to step in and say, 'and here's how we're going to help,'" Lassere said.
"I always tell people I'm on your team, White said. "I want you to be able to drive as long as possible, that's why I'm willing to look at restrictions or adaptive equipment or anything we get into place."
For Maser, she calls herself a success story and is back on the road. "Except on icy roads, that's no. But around town to my job, yes, I love to drive," she said.
Doctor's can refer patients to this program or you can refer yourself or a parent for a two-hour driving evaluation. It costs about $200. For more information, call 801-581-2221 or visit its website.
