Driving in his golden years: Part IV

Jim and Betty, Coeur d'Alene residents of more than 40 years, made an appointment to see an Occupational Therapist to make sure that it was still safe for Jim to drive. Betty was concerned because Jim hit the mailbox when pulling into the driveway. Sharon, a caregiver from Home Helpers, was with them on the day of the appointment; so she drove the couple to the McGrane Center at Kootenai Medical Center.

After he finished the indoor screening, it was time for the practical exam; which meant that he would take Kathy, the therapist, for a drive in his car.

As they walked outside, Kathy observed Jim's mobility to ensure that he was able to get in and out of the car without needing assistance. She also checked to see if he could benefit from any assistive technology. Once they were in the car, she guided him to different parts of town where he would navigate through various traffic situations. They got on I-90 and exited on Sherman Avenue. She guided him all around Coeur d'Alene to see how he would do. Once they were finished, they drove back to the McGrane Center and she completed his evaluation.

Kathy sat down with Jim and Betty and said, "Jim, you did well. You passed all your screens in the office and you did pretty good on the road." She continued by saying, "You may want to consider putting some reflectors on your mailbox so it's easier to see at night. Otherwise, you're a safe driver."

Jim and Betty were very relieved to hear the news. They both felt much more confident on the road. Sharon congratulated Jim on the results and asked, "Would you like to drive back home?" Jim replied, "No, I still enjoy having a chauffeur, especially in the snow!" All three of them chuckled and they headed home. The end.

For questions about home care or to see previous articles, contact Home Helpers at (208) 769-9560 or go to www.CoeurdAleneHomeCare.com.

For questions concerning driving evaluations, contact ReNae Scott, MS, OTR/L at (208) 666-2378 or email at [email protected].