How to begin your search for some of these products? According to Joseph Langhauser, Mobility Product Manager for General Motors, the best place to start is with a certified driving rehabilitation specialist (CDRS). "This person can give you a prescription for equipment and point you to a mobility dealer who can pull your vehicle together," he says
What is a CDRS? According to Elin Schold Davis, Coordinator of the American Occupational Therapy Association (AOTA) Older Driver Initiative, this person (often an occupational therapist) is trained to provide a comprehensive evaluation to determine a person's overall ability to operate a vehicle safely, and if necessary, recommend ways to decrease risks.
This may include an older driver clinic in which the person can learn to compensate for changes, or even suggestions for adaptive equipment that can be added to the vehicle to make it easier to drive safely. A CDRS will also make certain that recommended equipment is installed properly and that the elderly person is trained in its use before operating the vehicle independently.