Safe driving requires the coordination of attention, perception, memory, motor function, and decision making; PD may impair these abilities. Research has shown that factors associated with worsened driving in patients with Parkinson’s include older age, presence of other medical conditions, requiring multiple medications, and presence of cognitive problems. There are a few clues that may suggest the need to have regular (every 6 to 12 month) driving assessments by a DMV instructor or occupational therapist:
• Feeling unsafe while driving — either the driver or the passengers
• Vision changes — blurry vision, double vision, or difficulties looking in any direction
• Excessive daytime sleepiness or sleep attacks
• Age >75 years
• Disease duration >8 years
• Significant motor symptoms (slowness, tremors, dyskinesias, etc.), poor dexterity, limited range of motion (especially in the neck), or slowed reaction times
• Memory impairment
• Hallucinations or delusional thinking
It is extremely important to not put yourself, your loved ones, or those around us in danger when it comes to driving.
Author is Dr. Mick Reedy, Movement Disorders Specialist
Inova Parkinson’s and Movement Disorders Center (IPMDC)
Webinars about driving from Positive Aging Sourcebook
Giving Up The Car Keys & Other Challenging Transitions
Older Drivers: Research, Technology, Trends, Solutions
What to do when you can no longer drive?
Shepherd’s Center of Northern Virginia offers medical and companion transportation services. Check out their other services including their friendly caller/visitors and how they can help with minor home repairs. scnova.org/
Go Go Grandparent offers screened & monitored services from Uber, DoorDash, Instacart and more, with or without a smartphone, 24/7. For rides, groceries, meals, prescriptions, and home services. gogograndparent.com
Driver Rehabilitation
Driving can be a sensitive subject. Often family members are the best judge of when it is time to stop driving. If a family member or a loved one doesn’t feel safe riding in the car, that is a big indicator it is time to give up the keys. There are driving rehab specialists who can assess driving safety objectively and make recommendations for modifications or restrictions as necessary. Unfortunately, this is not covered by insurance and may cost a few hundred dollars, but this is a good option to get an objective measure of driving safety. We’ve listed some of the companies that offer these services below.
The Association for Driver Rehabilitation Specialists
Please click here for their directory.
Driver Rehabilitation Center Of Excellence, LLC (DRCE)
14101 Parke Long Court, Suite E
Chantilly, VA 20151
www.DriverRehabCenter.com
Office: 703-345-2990
Providing clinical and behind the wheel evaluation and training, as well as case management.
Rehab Driving Process Explained
If you have been diagnosed with one or more medical conditions that have resulted in loss of physical, visual, cognitive or medical abilities OR if someone has told you to stop driving, you should consider investing in an evaluation. Learn more about the newest adaptive equipment and techniques, and how these might apply to your specific condition.
At DRCE
At the Driver Rehabilitation Center of Excellence, our mission is to provide you with the highest quality individualized services, so that together we will find the best solution to meet your unique driving and community mobility needs. Our goal is to maximize your independence allowing you to reach your greatest potential.
A to Z Project Management
We start with a clinical evaluation, typically followed by an on-road assessment. We have the highest credentialed instructors in the industry using top-of-line equipment and vehicles. If it’s recommended that you are appropriate for auto adaptive equipment, our certified mobility technicians can assist with installation.
How to Make a Smart Purchase
Vehicles and auto adaptive equipment are important and expensive. We understand that making uninformed choices regarding the many products available may not only be unsafe, but can also create undue financial consequences. We want to educate consumers on how to shop for vehicles and equipment that will meet their unique needs. We will make sure you are armed with the knowledge that you will need to make choices that will meet all of your mobility demands.
For questions visit our website:
DriverRehabCenter.com
We have two convenient locations in Virginia:
• 14101 Parke Long Ct., Chantilly, VA 20151
• 1238 Emancipation Highway, Suite B, Fredericksburg, VA 22401
COMING SOON TO WILLIAMSBURG, VA AND ANNE ARUNDEL COUNTY, MD
Inova Driving Evaluation
Our driving rehabilitation program is aimed at providing a complete assessment and set of recommendations for safe return to driving for individuals with a disability and those who have had an injury.
For more information on the Driving Rehabilitation Program, please call 703-664-7190.
Medstar National Rehabilitation Network
Katie Fair, MS, OTR/L, CDRS
Driving Program Specialist
6858 Old Dominion Drive, Suite 200
Mclean, VA 22101
Kathryn.fair@medstar.net
703-288-8269-direct | 703-288-8260-office
www.medstarnrh.org/our-services/driver-rehabilitation-services/services/
Provides clinical and behind the wheel evaluation and training.
Brant’s Driving School
596 Goucher St, Johnstown, PA 15905
Multiple locations in:
– Pennsylvania (Johnstown, Pittsburgh, and York)
– Maryland (Rockville, Baltimore, Easton, and Annapolis)
Email: info@brantsdrivingschool.com
Local Phone Number: (814) 255-3313
Toll Free: (877) 395-7011