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OSOT Releases Aging Driver Report & Recommendations

Tuesday, December 15, 2009

The Board of Directors of the Ontario Society of Occupational Therapists is pleased to release “Aging Driver Report, July 2009”, prepared by the OSOT Aging Driver Task Force.

 

OSOT’s Aging Driver Task Force was engaged in 2009 to advise the Society’s Board regarding issues related to aging drivers in Ontario and to recommend strategic direction for activity to promote evidence-based OT practice to assess, meet and advocate for the driving and community mobility needs of Ontario’s aging drivers.

 

The Task Force’s 85 page report includes;

• an overview of evidence and corresponding provincial policies and legislation that can affect aging drivers in Ontario. 
• discussion of key considerations for assessment and interventions that promote driving safety. 
• discussion of the role of occupational therapy and issues of occupational therapy practice 
• recommendations (33 in all!!) that stem from the Task Force’s review and provide direction for the Society’s consideration to both lead and support occupational therapists to assume meaningful, leadership roles in addressing the needs of Ontario’s aging drivers.

 

Download the Aging Driver Report, July 2009

 

The Board of Directors is pleased to have such a thorough, constructive and visionary document which will guide and support decision-making regarding OSOT’s future activity to support Ontario’s aging population and to promote OT solutions.  The Board is currently reviewing the recommendations with the goal of establishing a strategy to complement OSOT's emerging Strategy on Aging.  At this time the report is released for member comment and input into strategy development. 

 

The Aging Driver Report is an excellent professional resource for members.  If you work with older adults or driving skills we encourage you to review the document, digest it’s content and recommendation and forward any comments, feedback you may have to Christie Brenchley or Nellemarie Hyde, Chair OSOT Aging Driver Task Force.

 

Appreciation is extended to OSOT’s Aging Driver Task Force!

Nellemarie Hyde, Chair

Janet Craik

Marjorie Green

To Nhu Nguyen

Shirley Rolin

Emily Sharples

Mireille Testa

Brenda Vrkljan

Margaret Young

 

Additional Resources of Interest related to OT and Aging Drivers….

 

National Blueprint for Injury Prevention in Older Drivers

Canadian Association of Occupational Therapists (CAOT), McGill University, 2009.  Funded by the Public Health Agency of Canada, the Blueprint aims to enhance the capacity of older adults to maintain their fitness to drive and ability to drive safely for as long as possible. The intent is that the Older Drivers Blueprint will be used by many stakeholders and will support policy-making, education and legislation for injury prevention, enhanced health, well-being and safety amongst older drivers in Canada.

 

Candrive, Driving Research for Older Adults – www.candrive.ca

An interdisciplinary health related related research program dedicated to improving the safety of older drivers.

 

See OSOT’s Aging Driver Report, 2009  for more resources!