Skip to main page content
U.S. flag

An official website of the United States government

Dot gov

The .gov means it’s official.
Federal government websites often end in .gov or .mil. Before sharing sensitive information, make sure you’re on a federal government site.

Https

The site is secure.
The https:// ensures that you are connecting to the official website and that any information you provide is encrypted and transmitted securely.

Access keys NCBI Homepage MyNCBI Homepage Main Content Main Navigation
. 2014 Jul;28(3):306-17.
doi: 10.3109/07380577.2014.908336.

Driving rehabilitation programs for older drivers in the United States

Marian E Betz  1 , Anne Dickerson, Tyler Coolman, Elin Schold Davis, Jacqueline Jones, Robert Schwartz
Affiliations

Driving rehabilitation programs for older drivers in the United States

Marian E Betz et al. Occup Ther Health Care. 2014 Jul.

Abstract

The objective of this study was to describe the services, referral and reporting practices, and barriers to utilization of driver rehabilitation programs (DRPs) for older drivers. Identified through two national association databases, 204 DRPs completed an online survey. DRP availability varies, with a median of one program per 64,151 older adults (range: 1,006-676,981). The median cost for a complete evaluation was $400; 36% of DRPs reported no third-party reimbursement. Participants thought barriers to DRP use include cost/reimbursement, lack of program awareness, and issues with evaluator training. Models for insurance reimbursement, and increased awareness of program benefits by healthcare providers and older drivers, are needed.

Keywords: Driving evaluation; driving rehabilitation; older driver.

PubMed Disclaimer

Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1. Number of DRPs per 100,000 older adults
DRPs are programs listed in the AOTA and ADED online databases that currently provide older driver evaluations (n=331). Population estimates are from the 2010 Census (U.S. Census Bureau, 2010).
Figure 2
Figure 2. Perceived barriers to older driver use of DRPs (N=204)
DRP, Driver rehabilitation program; Multiple responses allowed.
Figure 3
Figure 3. Perceived needs, at national level, to address older driver safety issues (N=204)
DRP, Driver rehabilitation program; Multiple responses allowed.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

References

    1. Occupational Therapy Association, Inc. Find a Driving Specialist (AOTA) 2013 Available online at: http://myaota.aota.org/driver_search/index.aspx.
    1. Association for Driver Rehabilitation Specialists (ADED) ADED Member Directory. 2013 Available online at: http://www.driver-ed.org/custom/directory/
    1. Blinded-A. Recruitment of older drivers from primary care clinics for on-road fitness-to-drive testing: Results of a pilot study. (Under review). - PMC - PubMed
    1. Blinded-B. “It’s in how you present the question:” Perspectives on screening older drivers in primary care settings. (Under review).
    1. Brooks JO, Dickerson A, Crisler MC, Logan WC, Beeco RW, Witte JC. Physician knowledge, assessment, and reporting of older driver fitness. Occupational Therapy in Health Care. 2011;25(4):213–224. - PubMed

Publication types

LinkOut - more resources