Empowering Driver Safety Through Occupational Therapy Evaluation & Training
Colorado Springs - Denver Metro - Ft. Collins
Health Promotion Partners has become Fitness to Drive to serve you better!
Fitness to Drive, (formerly Health Promotion Partners) is an award winning occupational therapy company. We empower new and experienced drivers through our driver education programs to gain confidence and independence to drive safely.
"From the initial phone call to the evaluation, everyone was very patient and helpful in explaining the process and tips for continued success. It's a huge help knowing that a professional has worked with my mom after her stroke and we can all feel confident that she will be safe while driving and working back to her independent lifestyle."
Rachel E.
Client
Empowering Driver Safety Through Occupational Therapy Evaluation & Training
Welcome to Fitness to Drive! We provide specialized occupational therapy services for driver safety. Driving is often considered a symbol of independence and freedom, but for individuals with certain medical conditions or disabilities, it can pose unique challenges. Whether you're a seasoned driver or just starting out, prioritizing safety on the road is crucial for everyone. Our goal is to provide education and services to help individuals navigate medical conditions or learning challenges and make safe driving decisions. We are here for you!
Understanding Driver Rehabilitation
Driver rehabilitation is a specialized field that focuses on helping individuals with medical conditions or disabilities assess and improve their ability to drive safely. Our Certified Driver Rehabilitation Specialists are occupational therapists who have the important medical background to help our clients determine driver safety after a health or medical change. We also work with new drivers with neurodivergence or a disability to determine if driving is right for them. Through our evidence based comprehensive evaluation we can truly understand any potential barriers to driving and work to promote driver safety. Solutions may include adaptations to your vehicle (i.e. hand controls), changes to where and when you drive (license restrictions), cessation of driving, or recommendations for continued training.
How Driver Rehabilitation Specialists Can Help
The driver rehabilitation specialists at Fitness to Drive play a crucial role in helping individuals with medical conditions or learning challenges overcome barriers to safe driving. An important aspect of our work is to help families make decisions about driver safety and we encourage families to attend the evaluation. Our comprehensive driver evaluation is designed to assess various driving-related skills in the clinic before going on the road. For all drivers, we assess vision, physical skills, sensation, thinking skills and reaction time. The on-road portion of the evaluation takes place in our driver rehabilitation vehicle that has an instructor brake. We are also able to trial adaptive equipment such as hand controls or a left foot accelerator in our evaluation vehicle. For new drivers we offer a readiness to drive evaluation help families make decisions about whether driving is an appropriate goal at this time and what type of supports may be needed. At the end of the driver safety evaluation our occupational therapists meet with the client and family members to discuss the results and any recommendations related to driver fitness. If appropriate, we will make recommendations about driver training either with or without adaptive equipment.
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Medical Conditions and Driving
We often work with clients who are impacted by one or more of the following;
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Neurological Disorders: Conditions such as Parkinson's disease, multiple sclerosis, and stroke can affect motor skills, coordination, and reaction times, making driving more challenging.
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Visual Impairments: Poor vision or conditions such as cataracts, macular degeneration, or reduced visual fields can impair a person's ability to see clearly and react to hazards on the road.
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Physical Disabilities: Mobility issues caused by conditions like arthritis, neuropathy, limb amputations, or spinal cord injuries can affect a person's ability to operate a vehicle safely.
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Cognitive Disorders: Conditions such as dementia, Alzheimer's disease, or traumatic brain injuries can impact memory, judgment, and decision-making skills necessary for safe driving.
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Mental Health Conditions: Conditions such as depression, anxiety, or PTSD can impact concentration and decision-making while driving. Some medications to treat mental health conditions can slow reaction times and impair driving skills.
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Neurodivergence: Some individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorder, ADHD, Anxiety or developmental disorders have specific challenges in learning to drive safely and benefit greatly from specialized driver safety training.
Conclusion
At Fitness to Drive, we believe that everyone deserves the opportunity to drive safely and independently, regardless of medical conditions or disabilities. Join us as we provide valuable information, resources, and support to empower individuals on their journey towards safer, more confident driving. Together, we can create a safer road environment for all.
Resources for improving driver safety
If you want to improve your driving skills and adopt safer habits, check out our resources. Colorado's Guide For Aging Drivers is CDOT's statewide resource with safe driving tips, current driving laws, and helpful information. We also link to new driver safety resources.