Driving the Ultimate IADL

Driving is the ultimate instrumental activity of daily living (IADL), requiring high-level visual skills, upper and lower extremity coordination, and the ability to mentally and physically multitask in a split second. Physicians are responsible for assessing elderly patients for dementia, visual and hearing impairments, alcohol use, balance and gait stability, and risk for falling. This article describes the author's office-based assessment of driving skills using performance tests for: contrast and vision, response time, general fitness, foot and arm movement, head and neck flexibility, and mental status. Many of these tests, which can easily be administered and scored, are detailed in a pamphlet entitled, "Driving Safety as You Get Older: A Personal Guide." Results from the aforementioned office-based driving skills assessment are helpful for older adults in determining whether to keep driving or seek help to overcome physical limitations impacting on driving.

• Availability:
  • Find a library where document is available. Order URL: http://worldcat.org/issn/0016867X
• Authors:
  • Sherman, Fredrick T
• Publication Date: 2006-10

Language

• English

Media Info

• Media Type: Print
• Features: Figures; References;
• Pagination: pp 9-10
• Serial:
  • Geriatrics
  • Volume: 61
  • Issue Number: 10
  • Publisher: Advanstar Communications Incorporated
  • ISSN: 0016-867X

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Abilities; Aged; Aged drivers; Automobile drivers; Automobile driving; Cognitive impairment; Driving cessation; Evaluation and assessment; Motor skills; Physicians; Physiological aspects; Risk assessment; Traffic safety; Visually impaired persons
• Subject Areas: Highways; Safety and Human Factors; I83: Accidents and the Human Factor;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 01076344
• Record Type: Publication
• Files: TRIS
• Created Date: Sep 6 2007 8:03PM