Older road user planning should start as soon as possible. It is easier to engage and help someone before the person’s driving has become what we believe to be dangerous. In fact, as you work through this process with a family member or individual you care for, you may want to prepare your own plan. This joint effort can make it easier to engage the one you support and also provide you with the roadmap you need as you age.
You may want to review the signs for when to change driving behaviors to be aware of when it might be a good time to start planning or to implement behavior changes that are in a current transportation plan. When creating your transportation plan, you may also want to consider a screening assessment by a driving rehabilitation specialist (DRSl) who can assist with implementing safety measures and/or adaptations to your vehicle that can extend driving. The DRS can also help with the transition to alternative transportation methods, should the time come to give up the keys.
Transportation planning considers the lifestyle of each individual and their needs for getting to appointments, running errands, and enjoying an active life in their community. When starting transportation planning, you will want to overlay the transportation options in your community with your transportation needs. Transportation options vary from community to community, including public transportation, private transportation, carpooling/ride-sharing, and informal support of family and friends. Developing a budget for using various transportation options available (and comparing those costs to the costs of maintaining a vehicle) can also be helpful. The goal for each individual is to support their desired level of independence and community engagement with the transportation support they need for safety and peace of mind.
Additional Resources:
- The ChORUS Older Driver Transportation Planning Tool provides a checklist and easy access to planning resources for each stage of driving ability.
- The Plan For the Road Make a Transportation Plan provides an interactive tool to help users develop a safe driver plan specific to their needs.
- The ChORUS Budgeting Tool helps you plan for future transportation costs.
- Screening and Assessments may help you identify the next steps in your plan.