Sarasota Business Partners with National Organization to Help Older Drivers and Their Families

SARASOTA, Fla. - June 4, 2013 - PRLog -- Sarasota, FL - Anymore it seems that our newspaper headlines, television reports and internet stories are populated (on almost a daily basis!) with headlines related to older driver tragedies.    

In response to this growing concern, Good Life Care of Sarasota announces a new partnership with Keeping Us Safe, a national organization that provides services to older drivers and their families.  Diane Walz, owner of Good Life Care explains “This unique partnership will allow us to offer Keeping Us Safe’s “Self-Assessment Program for Older Drivers” to concerned families in Sarasota and throughout the Sarasota and Manatee county area.  

Walz, now certified as a “Beyond Driving with Dignity” Professional by Keeping Us Safe, has received training in providing older drivers and their families with a very specific program that will help them make appropriate decisions on how to keep the family’s older driver safe as he or she progresses through the natural aging process.  

“The ‘Beyond Driving with Dignity’ program provides concerned families with a solution to their concerns.  This program offers “new-help” to families concerned about a loved-one’s safe driving abilities as they relate to the natural aging process”, explains Matt Gurwell, Founder & CEO of Keeping Us Safe.      

Gurwell, a retired Ohio State Trooper, adds that “Diane Walz has successfully completed our training and certification program and is quickly establishing herself as a valuable asset to older drivers and their families throughout Sarasota and Manatee counties as they find themselves faced with this very difficult and emotional situation.  Diane is an outstanding addition to our ‘Beyond Driving with Dignity’ program.”  

The 3-hour session, individualized sessions include an in-depth interview with the older driver, input from concerned family members, several cognitively-based screening tools, a review of one’s medical history and an actual on-road driving exercise.  The session takes place in the older driver’s home, typically at the individual’s kitchen table, where they are most comfortable.    

Walz explains that the goal of the program is not to “take” away the keys of older drivers, in fact, she explains that the self-assessment program is designed to bring awareness to the older driver of any age-related diminishment in his or her driving skills.  If appropriate, strategies are developed to make adjustments in the individual’s driving routine to help keep them driving safer, for longer.  

In the event that the individual’s skills have diminished to the point that a retirement from driving is appropriate, then the program is designed to help the individual make a smooth transition from the driver’s seat to the passenger seat, all the while helping him or her maintain their dignity, personal pride and most of all, their independence.  

As a Certified “Beyond Driving with Dignity” Professional, Walz has also received training and is now licensed to present Keeping Us Safe’s two group presentations:

·         A Safe Drive Through the Aging Process, and
·         Adults with Aging Parent Drivers

To schedule a self-assessment session for the older driver in your family, or to schedule one of our presentations for your group or organization, please call Good Life Care at 941-822-0092 or visit their website at http://www.goodlifecare4u.com.

“Beyond Driving with Dignity” professionals receive annual in-service trainings will have to meet standards of professionalism to maintain their certification.  For more information on the program please visit http://www.keepingussafe.org.