Conclusions

Seniors are encouraged to think responsibly about this issue, plan ahead, and be ready to make wise decisions when the time comes.

Expert: Philip Lepore, NYS Office for the Aging

Philip LePore is the author of "When You Are Concerned," a national award-winning handbook for families and caregivers worried about the safety of an aging driver. He is a New York State certified driver safety educator, and in 1989, served on the first State Inter Agency Task Force on Traffic Safety and the Elderly. Mr. LePore also represented the State Office for the Aging on the Medical Advisory Board of the Department of Motor Vehicles.

In 2003, Philip LePore retired from the New York State Office for the Aging. He continues to live in Albany, NY, where he serves as a traffic safety consultant to corporate caregiver assistance and municipal traffic safety programs.

As an older driver, you must keep several factors in mind in order to drive well, and drive safely. Philip suggests drivers over 50 pay special attention to the following points:

• Vision and alertness are critical components. As you age, cataracts and other vision problems can develop quickly and undermine your visual acuity and the clarity needed for safe driving. Also, your medications may compromise your alertness. Your pharmacist and the fine print on your medications can tell you about any implications for driving.
• Your driving position is no less critical to your comfort, control and safety. Make sure you are in the best possible position to see the road and reach the controls in your vehicle.
• Driving well is about you and your vehicle functioning safely on the road as conditions change. It requires you to exercise judgment, skill and common courtesy. A variety of programs are available to help you drive safely longer. Most persons over the age of 50 have heard about AARP's 55 Alive/Mature Driving Program. It's just one of a number of accident prevention programs providing the latest information about traffic laws, road signs and safe driving practices.
• You may have to work at it, but the benefits that come from safe driving are simply priceless: freedom, improved safety and independence.

Expert: Dorothy Levitt, R.N., M.S.

Dorothy Levitt is Coordinator of the Erie County Department of Senior Services' "Wise and Well Program." The program's focus is on health promotion and disease prevention for seniors in Erie County and their caregivers. Additionally, for the past two years, she has coordinated Erie County's Older Driver Family Assistance Help Network.

Dorothy holds a Bachelor of Science in Nursing and Master of Science in Community Health Nursing from the State University of New York at Buffalo.

Dorothy brings to her present work experience as a Community Health Nurse with the Monroe County Health Department, Instructor of Community Health Nursing at State University College at Brockport, Staff Development Coordinator at the Rochester Friendly Home (a long term care facility), Community Education Specialist with Erie County's Environmental Compliance Services, School Health Nurse (working with "future seniors") and Nursing Supervisor in a Certified Home Health Agency.

• Call your local Area Agency on Aging for information and assistance with care-giving concerns: In New York State, visit http://aging.state.ny.us/findhelp/lofa.htm
• Also, you may want to consider writing to your state's Department of Motor Vehicles to have a Driver Re-examination scheduled for you or your loved one. Click here for a sample letter of concern:
  http://www.erie.gov/depts/seniorservices/
  LetterofConcerntoDMV082702b.pdf
  Insert Chart: http://www.erie.gov/depts/seniorservices/
  drivflow.pdf