DRIVING REFRESHER COURSE FOR SENIORS PUTS SAFETY FIRST
As we age, our vision and hearing may get worse, and our reaction time behind the wheel slows down, all of which can negatively impact seniors when they’re driving.
There also are more cars on the road, with people driving faster, which makes venturing out riskier business.
The best way to keep ourselves driving for as long as possible is to do so as safely as possible, which is why the TriCounty Active Adult Center in Pottstown is offering AARP’s Smart Driver course for those age 50 and up.
“For a lot of these people, it has been 50 or more years since they passed their driver’s test,” said
Brian Parkes, the Adult Center’s executive director. “If you think about that, a lot has changed.”
The refresher course reviews safety aspects of driving among other topics.
“The things that have changed and things they should be aware of,” he said.
It’s also creating a greater level of awareness about aspects of aging that might make driving more challenging.
“That their reaction time may not be what it used to be,” Parkes said. “Vision changes when driving at night is another.”
The recertification class, taught by a professional, is typically offered at the center twice a year. You aren’t required to be an AARP member to attend but can get a discount on the course if you are. There are other perks to attending.
“A lot of people receive a discount on their auto insurance if they complete the course, so it’s a good incentive for them to keep it up,” he said, adding that after the four-hour course, they have to take a periodic refresher.
According to the AARP, safer driving can do much more than save you money.
“Our defensive driving course teaches evidence-based strategies to keep you safe behind the wheel,” the AARP states on their website.
Strategies they offer include important facts about the effects of medication on driving, how to reduce driver distractions, age-related physical changes and how to
adjust your driving to compensate.
There is no test involved after taking the course that is offered in-person at the Adult Center, but it can be taken online, directly through the AARP. Attendees just have to sit through the class, and the online course is self-paced.
Parkes highly recommends the Smart Driver course for those in the active-aging category given he has witnessed firsthand the impact aging can have on driving.
“I keep a count that I announce each day of the accidents in the parking lot,” he said. “If more people take this course, I hope that they can extend their driving later into their lives in a safe way and with more confidence.”
The topic of driving can be a touchy subject, particularly when it comes time to have a conversation with a loved one whose driving skills appear to be deteriorating.
“It’s a big topic and a big topic for families when they talk to their parents about giving up their license,” he said. “Our members see driving as so critical to their independence.”
Parkes said this conversation doesn’t necessarily happen at one particular age.
“We have a 98-year-old member who just gave up his license last year,” he said. “Then we have people in their 70s who can no longer drive at night or can’t drive anymore due to a disability.”
He highly recommends that families be alert to signs that a driver’s capability is diminishing because they no longer have the driving skills they used to have.
“The first sign that people notice are usually dents in the car,” Parkes said. “Their parents hit a grocery cart or backed into a pole — it’s usually something that is not that serious.”
But that could easily change over time when they not only pose a risk to themselves, but to others as well.
“Driving has become a lot more dangerous these days,” he said. “It’s important to stop driving before something serious happens.”
As soon as new dents are present, Parkes suggests it’s a good time to start the conversation, but be prepared because it’s typically a touchy subject. He said it’s important to determine how your loved one’s driving is going to be replaced so that a solution can be discussed.
“Think about ‘how are you going to keep your parent independent without a car, and how do you fill that void,” he said. “If you have the answer, the conversation can go smoother.”
Solutions might be family members who can offer support with driving to doctor’s appointments and the grocery store, or maybe getting them set up with a TransNet Pass.
“It depends on their abilities and their location as to whether or not they can easily take public transportation,” he said, adding that in some cases, someone might need some specialized type of transport.