Older Drivers Honored for Their Retirement from Driving

CLEVELAND - May 12, 2014 - PRLog -- In a ceremony held at Kemper House (a Cleveland, Ohio, area Alzheimer's and dementia care community), eleven retired drivers were honored by Keeping Us Safe for making the difficult by timely decision to retire from driving.

The awards ceremony was put together to recognize and honor older drivers that, as the result of age-related diminished driving skills, have made a voluntary decision to retire from their driving career.

The eleven honorees received a certificate from Keeping Us Safe honoring them for their decades of safe driving, a warm and delicious meal provided by Kemper House, and a proclamation from the U. S. House of Representatives recognizing each honoree for their decision.

Matt Gurwell, founder & CEO of Keeping Us Safe, explains “So many times we hear only of tragic automobile accidents involving older drivers.  It is easy to overlook the dignified way that so many older adults quietly and gracefully retire from driving every single day, once they sense a diminishment in their driving skills.  This ceremony was designed to recognize these individuals for doing the right thing.”

“This is one way we can give back to these conscientious and selfless individuals.  Today’s honorees”, Gurwell adds, “are everyday heroes whose commitment to safety often goes overlooked”.

The event, hosted by Kemper House, included an introduction of each retired driver by a family member, who also briefly recapped their loved-one’s driving career.

After being served a delightful meal by the Kemper House staff, brief remarks were presented by Lt. James Sivak of the Ohio State Highway Patrol, Lynn Hermensky of the Kemper Company, and Matt Gurwell, each in their own way honoring the eleven retired drivers for making the difficult but appropriate decision to turn in their keys.

The ceremony ended with more stories, photographs, laughs, cake and coffee and a period of general fellowship by everyone present.

If you are interested in hosting a similar event in your community, please contact Keeping Us Safe at 877-907-8841 or visit the Keeping Us Safe website at www.keepingussafe.org