Driving Retirement

Karen KafantarisAARP MichiganAssociate State DirectorLivable Communities and Community Servicekkafantaris@aarp.org

AARP MISSION AARP is dedicated to enhancing quality of life for all as we age.  We lead positive social change and deliver value to members through information, advocacy and service.

AARP's VISION A society in which everyone ages with dignity and purpose, and in which AARP helps people fulfill their goals and dreams.

Started in 1958 by a retired school teacher – Dr. Ethel Percy Andrus

Over 40 million members nationwide

1.6 million members in Michigan

A state office in every capitol city

Focus on state level activities involving Livable Communities Community Service Economic Security and Work Health and Supportive Services Advocacy – both State and Federal

The New Buzz Word

Driving Retirement

A Few Statistics There are 4.5 million non-drivers older than age 75 today

There will be 6 million non-drivers older than age 75 by 2020

A man who is 70 today is likely to outlive his driving years by about 6 years

A woman who is 70 today is likely to outlive her driving years by about 11 years

Possible Implications of Driving Retirement

Potentially means Loss of independence and personal empowerment

Physical and social isolation Impairment of mental and physical well-being

Increase in health care expenditures Compromises ability to remain independent in one’s home

Interventions to support the transition process Pre-decision: Current driver – raising awareness using brochures, family and community discussions

Decision: Retiring Driver – Family conversations or group discussion programs

Post-Decision: Retired Drivers – Family and community involvement and group support programs

Stages and challenges Pre-Decision: characterized by increased difficulty in driving. Balancing Act: Older drivers find themselves in a balancing act, balancing obstacles to driving against the desire for independence

Awareness of driving abilities, emotional responses to driving and consequences of continuation or cessation

Stages and Challenges

Decision stage Characterized by either voluntary or involuntary decision to cease driving

Dual challenge of both making the decision and owning the decision

Stages and Challenges Post-Decision:

Make practical and emotional adjustments to lifestyle

Practical – finding new ways of accessing the community or substituting different interests that don’t include driving

Emotional – coming to terms with the losses that driving represented and maintaining feelings of control and ownership over the lifestyle

Recommendations Increase awareness of alternative driving options

Address perceived barriers Provide education and support to assist non-drivers to use transit alternatives

Improve media representation of retired drivers

Provide education and support to family members

Provide education and training to health professionals to enable them to assist people with transport planning in the future

Is This Issue Being Addressed

Transitioning issues need to be addressed at the community level - are more typically being addressed at the organization level (i.e. AARP and AAA-1B)

Funding for increased public transit and Para transit is another need that needs to be addressed

89 % of individuals surveyed by AARP said they wanted to remain independent in their own home

Driving Safety for the older driver is an emotionally charged issue

What causes the need for driving retirement Aging is an individual process that affects each person differently

Physical functions – i.e. strength, flexibility, range of motion

Visual limitations

Cognitive capabilities

Transitioning to driving retirement Self regulation Recognizing when to stop is more difficult Auto-centric society Little knowledge or use of alternative transportation

Relationship to driving/what driving means to them

AARP Mobility Programs

Driver Safety Program

CarFit

We Need To Talk

AARP Driver Safety Program

Understanding the effects of aging on driving

Learn driving strategies that take into account the changes we experience as we age

Identify the most common crash situations we face

Better understand today’s roads, vehicles and other road users

Identify when driving may no longer be safe

CarFit

A collaboration between AAA (American Automobile Assn.) AARP AOTA (American Occupational Therapy Assn)

ASA

CarFit Ill-fitting vehicles can make driving uncomfortable and even unsafe

Vehicles that fit better keep individuals safer While on the road In the event of a crash

Help individuals remain safe while on the road longer and therefore able to be independent longer

We Need To Talk

Developed by MIT Age Lab Hartford Financial Services Group, Inc.

AARP

We Need To Talk

Research determined that one of the most effective approaches to transitioning from driving to non-driving was through family conversations.

We Need To Talk

90 minute seminar about How to have the conversation about giving up the keys.

We Need To Talk

Having the conversation over a period of time.

First conversation should begin before the need to stop driving is at crisis point

Identifying or creating opportunities for conversations about limiting or stopping driving

On going conversations are important

We Need To Talk

Choosing the right person to have the

discussion with the older driver.

Spouse Adult Children Physician Law Enforcement

We Need To Talk

The right time to begin the conversation

How to prepare for the conversations

The different levels of conversations

We Need To Talk Planning for how your loved one is going to carry on their normal activities Helps emotionally to have a plan

How to deal with a high risk driver who refuses to stop driving

Dementia and driving

We Need To Talk

Deal with strong emotions, e.g., older drivers feeling angry or sad, family members feeling angry, frustrated or guilty

It’s a tough thing to do

AARP Resources

We Need To Talk – Family Conversations With Older Drivers

At the Crossroads – A Guide to Alzheimer’s Disease, Dementia and Driving