Are you worried about an older adult’s ability to drive safely? Would you like to take a proactive step to help prevent a family tragedy?
"Beyond Driving with Dignity; The workbook for the families of older drivers” is intended to help families confront the challenging and very sensitive issue of talking to a parent about a driving retirement. Designed for concerned families and geriatric professionals alike, the workbook employs easy-to-use checklists and exercises to help the user develop an objective picture of the older adult’s driving abilities. Observations are made in the areas of vision and hearing, memory, reflex and reaction times, medication, strength and flexibility as well as an actual driving exercise.
Families are then provided with direction on how to effectively propose a driving retirement to their loved one (if appropriate), and on how to ensure a smooth transition for their loved one from the driver’s seat to the passenger. Later chapters, such as the “Limit Driving not Living” chapter, help the family accomplish the mission while still working to maintain the delicate balance between the individual’s independence and their personal safety.
The workbook is very user-friendly as is designed to be used in the privacy and comfort of the family’s own home, without intimidating driving simulators or complex web-based programs. It is an easy book to read and work through, and one that anyone can understand. “The book was designed for one primary purpose; to save lives. It was purposely written in an understandable, easy to use format so that it can be worked by the family, at the family’s kitchen table” says author Matt Gurwell.
For more information on “Beyond Driving with Dignity; The workbook for the families of older drivers”, please visit the Keeping Us Safe website or call 877-907-8841.
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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