12-2-10
Older Driver Safety Awareness Week (Dec. 6-10, 2010) Highlights Options for Safe Mobility
Bethesda, MD —Why a week dedicated to older drivers? Recently experts told a National Transportation Safety Board forum that miles driven by older drivers are increasing.
The American Occupational Therapy Association (AOTA) along with AAA, AARP,
The Hartford Financial Services Group, Inc., and other organizations are raising awareness on how to keep seniors safe on the road while providing resources to families.
Occupational therapy practitioners have the skills to evaluate a person’s overall ability to operate a vehicle safely and provide rehabilitation, if necessary.
What: Older Driver Safety Awareness Week—Education, evaluation, modifications and training strategies are offered through AOTA’s web site, www.aota.org/Older-Driver/Awareness.aspx. Older Driver Safety Awareness Week national endorsers have dedicated web sites providing the public and health professionals with useful, timely information:
When: December 6-10, 2010
Throughout the week, AOTA will bring attention to a different aspect of older driver safety:
- Monday, December 6: Family Conversations
- Tuesday, December 7: Screening and Evaluations
- Wednesday, December 8: Driving Equipment and Adaptions
- Thursday, December 9: Taking Changes in Stride
- Friday, December 10: Life After Driving
Why: Driving conversations between family members should ongoing and are often initiated around holiday gatherings. The AOTA dedicated Older Driver Safety Awareness site links to resources offered by endorsing organizations, including AAA, AARP, and The Hartford Financial Services Group, Inc.
Want to interview an OT or other expert? Please call Beth Mullen, 301-652-6611. AOTA driving expert and OT Elin Schold Davis is available for comment. Contact information for the national endorsers:
- AAA National Office—Nancy White, Director, Public Relations, 202-942-2079
- AARP—Nancy Thompson, Senior Media Relations Manager, 202-434-2667
- The Hartford.—Michelle Loxton, Media Relations Director, Consumer Markets, 860-547-7413
Founded in 1917, the American Occupational Therapy Association (AOTA) represents the professional interests and concerns of more than 140,000 occupational therapists, assistants, and students nationwide. The Association educates the public and advances the profession of occupational therapy by providing resources, setting standards including accreditations, and serving as an advocate to improve health care. Based in Bethesda, Md., AOTA’s major programs and activities are directed toward promoting the professional development of its members and assuring consumer access to quality services so patients can maximize their individual potential. For more information, go to www.aota.org.
