Driving and Rehabilitation

Today during class, we had with a guest lecturer who was an expert in the field of Driver rehabilitation. He provided very useful information on assessing and adapting the occupation of driving. One of the key takeaway points during today's lecture was that visual skills are a vital component to the occupation of driving. Within vision there are components such as Acuity and perception. Other skills associated with driving are cognition and active ROM. Driving requires a constant state of reacting to your environment and skills such as cognition and active ROM help an individual in their reaction. All of these components are what a driving specialist analyzes and keeps in constant consideration as they interact with a client. One intervention that can be done with clients in a driving rehabilitation setting is working on scheduling and planning times of the day when the individual may be driving. For instance doctor's appointments or visiting with friends can be scheduled during a time of day when traffic is lighter, it is daytime, and the client is less fatigued. Helping the individual plan these activities will allow for the safest driving environment. One intervention that could be in a group setting is a group of individuals doing a yoga program together. ROM is a very important component to driving. As we age, we can decrease in flexibility and active ROM. A group yoga class will allow for socialization for cognition and work to increase ROM needed for driving.

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