Ohio hospital launches driver safety program to test abilities
Simulator, vehicle evaluation give objective metrics.
Deciding if a loved one is no longer safe behind the wheel is one of the hardest conversations for families to have.
Whether the question is vision, physical function, or cognition, conditions that impair driving abilities can also mean a loss of independence. To help with those decisions, Mercy Health has launched the “On the Road Again” program at its Oregon Outpatient Rehabilitation and Therapy location.
It combines an in-office driving simulator and on-road vehicle evaluation to give objective metrics about one’s reaction time and other related skills. On Thursday, Mercy Health officials got the keys to a modified Chrysler 200 donated by Yark Automotive Group for the program.
Siblings Emily, D.J., and Billy Yark, children of the late Jim Yark, were on hand for the donation. Ms. Yark said it was especially meaningful for their family, given their father’s early-onset Alzheimer’s diagnosis.
“Knowing we’re not alone in that and that there are so many people who are struggling with this ... I think it’s huge for families,” she said of the help in deciding when to take someone’s keys away. “If we would have had that, it would have been so awesome.”
The Mercy Health Foundation paid for the in-office simulator and to modify the Chrysler with hand controls, a left foot accelerator, and other adaptations.
Lynne Chapman, an occupational therapist and certified driver rehabilitation specialist, said the program filled a need in the community and evaluates vision, perception, cognition, and physical function as it relates to driving.
Mercy Health St. Charles Hospital President Craig Albers said it can be beneficial for families with aging parents or those with injuries, and clinical staff can be “a buffer” when making those decisions.
“This is a way to make sure your loved ones are safe after they have a traumatic injury or medical condition,” he said. “You can make sure they’re able to safely return to the road.”
Mercy Health officials suggested patients interested in the program should discuss with their primary care doctor for possible referrals.