learn WITH aMa
Mature Driver Course:
A six-hour class over
three days, designed
for drivers who want
to refresh their driving
knowledge and aware-
ness of new technologies
and the rules of the road.
Brush-Up Lessons:
Two or more in-car hours,
customizable to suit your
needs. Designed for driv-
ers who want to be pro-
active about maintaining
their driving, or when
recommended by a
medical professional.
AMA members save $12.
Senior Driver In-Vehicle
Evaluation: A vision test,
questionnaire and con-
fidential assessment of
your driving skills with
an AMA Driver Education
instructor (and, in select
locations, an occupational
therapist) on a specially
designed route. For driv-
ers who want an objective
opinion about their skills,
or who’ve been referred
by a medical professional.
CAA.ca/Seniors: Online
resources for older
drivers and their family
members, drawn from
the Canadian Medical
Association, Canadian
Association of Occu-
pational Therapists and
other expert groups.
44
Fall 2017
AMA InsIder
idea of operating an 18-wheeler, he
then relinquished his Class 3 licence.
That proactive nature is what recently
brought Leon, his wife Annetta and
daughter Renee to AMA to discuss
mobility options and undergo an in-
vehicle evaluation of his driving skills.
For Leon, involving his family in
these matters was essential. Naturally,
he values his wife’s support and opin-
ions. And Renee, who lives next door,
often accompanies him on drives to
informally assess his ability.
Annetta says it’s important the fam-
ily communicates openly about Leon’s
driving. “We’re supportive in that we
say, ‘If you feel safe driving, please
do.’ We want him to have his mobility
because it’s good for him and it helps
us too,” she says.
But if the situation changes, neither
she nor Renee is afraid to speak up.
“We’re pretty straightforward people.
If we see something wacky going on,
we’ll say, ‘Hold the phone, we need to
readdress this.’”
Not everyone, however, has Leon’s
initiative; many people don’t start
thinking about their driving until
problems arise. Caroline Gee, seniors’
program coordinator at AMA, encour-
ages seniors to be proactive in planning
their late-in-life driving journey. This
includes taking steps to maintain good
health—such as exercising and getting
Continuing
EduCation
regular eye exams—keeping abreast of
the rules of the road, and considering
alternatives should a time come when
driving is no longer viable. AMA’s
varied resources can help facilitate
discussion and action at all stages
of the journey.
“Our philosophy is that we want
people to keep driving for as long as
they can, as long as it’s safe for them,”
Gee says.
The one-on-one driving evaluation
that Leon took with AMA can prove
helpful in this regard. It provides driv-
ers with a confidential written report,
identifying areas for improvement
as well as potential risks. (There is
no pass or fail, and the results don’t
impact your ability to renew your
licence when the time comes.) Some-
times just correcting a bad habit, like
learning to look farther ahead down
the road, can translate into a few more
years behind the wheel.
And if an evaluation—or provincially
mandated medical exam—doesn’t go
as hoped? AMA can aid the conversa-
tion about transportation alternatives
and how a voluntary retirement from
driving can be managed by drivers and
their families.
Though Leon is still behind the
wheel, Annetta has been the primary
driver on a few previous occasions,
particularly while her husband was
recovering from a hip replacement and
later from cataract surgery.
And when the time comes that Leon
no longer feels he’s fit to drive, he’s pre-
pared to back away. His wife will move
to the driver’s seat, and he’ll also begin
to use public transportation and taxis.
“Like I said, driving is a privilege,”
Leon emphasizes. “But I’m hoping that
we can carry on here for some time yet.”