Driver Rehab Flashcards
What are the issues unique to the older driver?
The number of older licensed drivers in the US is
expected to increase from —20 million today to
—40 million in 2020.
> Driving is and will remain the primary mode of
transportation for older adults.
> Trends indicate that new cohorts of older adults
are increasing their miles driven per year
> Anticipate increase
Increased Vulnerability of Older Adults
in Motor Vehicle Crashes
What are some common problems related to driving that clients with various neuro, orthopedic problems?
Lack of range of motion in neck
• Limited ability to see the full field of traffic
• Difficulty checking blind’ spots or backing up
Both legs missing or non functional for driving • inability to use brake and accelerator • Inability to uae foot operated parking brake • Posaible interference of legs with driving controls • Possible balance issues
All or partial loss of strength on 1 side of the body
• Difficulty steering
• Inability to operate secondary controls on effected side
• Inability to operate gas and brake if right side involved
vision
• Acuity • Binocularity • Visual Fields • Eye Coordination/Muscle Balance • Scanning/Ocular Pursuits • Contrast Sensitivity • Night Vtsion/Glare Recovery • Color
perception: figure ground
difficulty finding signs among other visual stimuli. • Will have increasing difficulty as traffic increases and/or road scene increases
Visual closure
Difficulty recognizing signs or other traffic control devices that are partially covered by trees or other objects. • May not be able to look ahead and see what’s happening in the whole environment, or perceive the safety threat represented by a vehicle or pedestrian that is partially obstructed at the side of the road and may be about to
position in space
Unsure of position as related to another object; particularly when close to other objects or cars Trouble orienting vehicle when in curves or coming out or tums; problem does not usually improve significantly with cues or practice.
spatial relation
• Unable to determine position in relationship to two or more objects in the road scene or their relation to each other • likely to have difficulties at complex and/or angled intersection; • may have
spatial neglect
Does not acknowledge one side of the environment • Misses vehicles or other objects usually to one side • Drifts in lane to one side with little or no improvement when cued • Often unsafe
cognition
Attention/Concentration • Direction Following • Memory • Sequencing • Right/Left Discrimination • Behavior and Self-Control • Planning and Organization • Traffic Sign and Road Markings • Traffic Rules • Judgment and Insight
How might the occupation of driving be modified to enhance client safety?
Needs remediation or additional training in
compensatory techniques.
+ Driving not recommended at the present
_____________________________________________
time. A re-evaluation may be performed at
a later date.
Recommend termination of driving
privileges.
What are some basic auto modifications to enhance ones ability to drive safely? (i.e. hand controls, mirrors, etc)
v
How are client skills & deficits evaluated for driving?
• Parking Lot • Residential Area • Rural Area • City Area • Light/Heavy Traffic a Expressway/Highway
parking lot
Entry/Exit Skills • Mobility Aid Management a Seating and Positioning Behind the Wheel • Operates Controls • Backing and Parking
residential area
• Acceleration/Braking • Steering Control • Lane Position • Positions For Turns • Maneuvers Turn • Complete Stops • Appropriate Stopping distance • Checks Traffic
rural city area
Appropriate Speed Control • Proper Following Distance i Signals and Positions for Turns • Checks Traffic • Appropriate Speed and Gap for Turns • Yields Right of Way • Obeys Traffic Signs and Signals
