Polypharmacy, Deprescribing and Older Driver Safety
Listen is as Dr. Andrew Whitman, Clinical Pharmacist in Oncology/Palliative Care at the University of Virginia Health System appears on the “Beyond Driving with Dignity” show and explains the dilemma posed by polypharmacy and the effects it may have on older drivers.
Dr. Whitman also introduces us to the practice of “deprescribing” as a viable solution to the issues posed by the disease of polypharmacy.
Dr. Andrew Whitman, Pharm.D. Dr. Whitman is a clinical pharmacist in oncology and palliative care at the University of Virginia Health System. He completed a combined Doctor of Pharmacy degree and Certificate of Aging Studies at Virginia Commonwealth University School of Pharmacy in 2014. He completed his postgraduate training at UVA Health System in oncology pharmacy followed by a year as a palliative care specialist at the University of Maryland Baltimore-Washington Medical Center. Dr. Whitman’s main research interests include de-prescribing in older cancer patients and innovative approaches to supportive care.
Click here to hear the interview with Dr. Whitman.
Matt Gurwell is the developer of the nationally-recognized “Beyond Driving with Dignity” program. He currently lectures throughout the United States on topics related to the aging process and its adverse affects on driving skills. As developer of this life-saving program, Matt’s mission is to provide strategies and guidance to seniors that will help them to continue driving safely until the decision is made to retire from their driving career. The “Beyond Driving with Dignity” program also provides an excellent array of services and resources for both families and professionals as they deal with this very sensitive issue. Matt retired from a very distinguished and successful 24-year career as an Assistant District Commander with the Ohio State Highway Patrol. After leaving the Patrol, Matt has participated in a tremendous amount of work in the area of older driver research, best practices, current vehicle safety technologies, and adaptive equipment. Matt's creative, innovative and common sense approach, combined with his uncanny ability to bring calm and resolve to stressful situations without ever jeopardizing the dignity of others, has contributed greatly to the success of the “Beyond Driving with Dignity” program. When asked what the ultimate motivation was for starting the program, Matt explains: "There was never one particular event. It was the result of 20-plus years of holding dying people in my arms at terrible car accidents, and delivering dozens and dozens of death notifications to families. I would much rather work with families to bring a peaceful resolve to this sensitive and uncomfortable issue now, rather than have them deal with it when a State Trooper is knocking on their front door". Matt serves as Senior Care Authority’s Program Director for the “Beyond Driving with Dignity” program. Senior Care Authority (https://www.seniorcareauthority.com) is now the nation’s exclusive provider of the “Beyond Driving with Dignity” program.
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