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Lesson Outline

Driving plays an important role in accessing the places and people that are important in our daily life. For many, it provides a sense of independence and a feeling of competence. That’s why retiring from driving, whether voluntary or involuntary, can profoundly impact a person’s sense of self and lead to an earlier death or even admission to a long-term care home.

By taking this short, interactive lesson, you’ll learn about:

• warning signs of unsafe driving,
• health-related changes that impact our behind-the-wheel abilities such as:
• cognition
• vision and hearing
• flexibility, movement, and strength
• medications,
• alternatives to driving, and
• how to make a plan to retire from driving.

Meet Robert and his father Vinnie and find out what actions they take when age-related changes start to impact Vinnie’s driving.

(Estimated time to complete - 15 minutes)

What is life-space mobility?

While you may think of mobility as the ability to get up and move from your favourite chair, the term ‘life-space mobility’ refers more broadly to our ability to move within a range from environments that expand from your home to your neighbourhood and into your community and beyond. Research indicates that driving, social support, and walking speed have the greatest impact on a person's life-space mobility. This is why planning for the day when you may no longer be able to drive is very important.

How to plan for retiring from driving

It’s important to be proactive for yourself and your loved ones.

• Initiate a conversation with an older adult relative or friend about planning for driving cessation now while individuals are feeling healthy and well.
• Use an advance driving directive, similar to advance directives for end-of-life care, to help with the conversation. You can see our resources area for an example.
• Develop a driving retirement plan along with your financial planning for retirement; including a ‘mobility’ account to fund alternate forms of transportation.
• Have an in-car driving assessment with a driving instructor.
• Take a refresher course at a local driving school.
• Consult with an occupational therapist to assess and address changes in your everyday activities, including driving. They can suggest strategies or aids that could enhance your ability to do such activities. 
• Visit your healthcare team to assess your vision, hearing, medical conditions, and understand which medications might impact your driving.