Whether you're going to visit a friend or out to dinner, driving is often a main source of transportation.  More importantly, for many of us it symbolizes freedom, independence, and convenience. But it's also important to recognize the importance of safe driving.  That's why The Ohio State University Medical Center, the Office of Geriatrics and Gerontology, and the Department of Internal Medicine designed the Older Driver Evaluation Program. This program can help you maintain your independence while promoting good health and safety.  Please read further for more information about the Older Driver Evaluation Program or call the Driving Coordinator at 614-293-3833 for information about cost, referrals and to schedule an appointment. Driving Facts  A driver makes about 20 decisions per mile.   Drivers over the age of 69 are twice as likely as middle-aged drivers to be involved in fatal car accidents.   The leading cause of accidental death in those ages 65 - 74 is motor vehicle accidents.

Good driving decisions require good sensory, perceptual, cognitive and motor abilities. However, precision in these abilities tends to become more difficult as we age, making driving a complicated task. Some of the changes that often occur with aging include:

• Vision

• focusing ability and ability to see moving objects decreases
• night driving becomes more difficult
• cataracts and other eye diseases that may affect vision are more prevalent

• Mobility

• decreased range of motion, often due to arthritis
• loss of strength, endurance and flexibility

• Cognitive Skills

• slower decision-making abilities, which affect reaction times
• difficulty in gauging a vehicle's speed

• Medications

• Increase in the number of medications taken, some of which may cause drowsiness or other side effects

Our driving program is a diagnostic evaluation that takes a look at the basic skills needed to drive and your ability to perform these skills. The evaluation includes a driving simulation experience, an on-the-road driving test, a medical history review, and analysis of medications and a variety of other screenings and analysis. See the complete listing below.

The goal of the program is to help you maintain your driving independence. After the evaluation, we may make recommendations such as adaptive equipment, modification of your medication, or physical or occupational therapy. Whatever the recommendation, the evaluation is highly individualized, so you will not be compared to other drivers. This program is especially beneficial for those drivers who may require driver retraining or adaptive devices because it provides alternatives to giving up driving. Remember, it is not up to us to decide if you should stop driving. That is left up to your physician and the appropriate governmental agencies.

The evaluation includes:

• Medical History Review
• Driving History Review
• Cognitive Screening
• Vision Screening
• Assessment of Functional Status
• Analysis of Medications
• Review of Alcohol Use
• Review of Sleep Habits
• Reaction Time Analysis
• Assessment of Threat Recognition
• Driving Simulator Experience
• On-The-Road Driving Test
• Alternative Transportation Information
• Educational Opportunities
• Remediation Opportunities

Scheduling An Evaluation

You, a family member, or your physician may call to schedule an appointment. Once an appointment is scheduled, we will send you some forms for you and your physician to complete prior to your appointment. We will also send you a map to help you find our office.

Cost

Insurance coverage is available for certain medical conditions. For other situations, the cost is the responsiblity of the older driver. When you call for an appointment, you will be assisted in identifying whether coverage is available for your evaluation.

For more information about the Older Driver Evaluation Program please call the Driving Coordinator at 614-293-3833.