Margaret Geer took time out of her day to visit Newmarket to receive valuable tips and advice from occupational therapists on how to drive more safely.
The Port Perry resident participated in CarFit, an empowering educational program that provides a quick yet comprehensive assessment from health and safety professionals to determine the fit of the driver and the car. She heard about the program from her daughter, who works at Southlake Regional Health Centre.
“It makes you check and make sure your steering wheel is in the right place,” said Geer. She drove her white Mazda CX-30 through the stations on Oct. 24, in the parking lots of 776 Davis Dr. with her husband, Ivan. “I often wonder whether my mirrors are right, so it was nice to check and make sure that my mirrors are in the right place and everything is where it is supposed to be.”
York Region Paramedic Services, Southlake Regional Health Centre, and the Canadian Association of Occupational Therapists collaborated on the program to enhance the safety and comfort of senior drivers and ensure they were positioned correctly in their vehicles. They plan to host in Newmarket again in spring 2025.
Drivers go through three stations. They check in and register, go through a check-up, where staff reviews seatbelts, mirror placements, and distance to the pedals in a 12-point checklist, and then drive to check out, where trained occupational therapists resolve any issues and walk around the vehicle. They also provide some assistive devices.
“They leave with a whole bunch of educational steps on how to stay safe and adjust their car themselves, which is handy if you have a partner you live with. If both people are driving the same vehicle, you should be adjusting it every single time you go behind the wheel,” said Brenda Grant, program co-ordinator for Carfit for the Canadian Association of Occupational Therapists.
Staff from Southlake assisted Ivan in entering the vehicle as a passenger with a vehicle support handle. This tool, which is inserted in a car door latch, helps older adults prop up and balance, thereby reducing the risk of falls. It has a non-slip grip and can hold up to 350 pounds. Additionally, a cushion was provided for his seat to ensure a comfortable and safe driving experience.
“It was really helpful because he has so much trouble getting in and out of the car,” said Geer. “It was interesting to see the different apparatus that he could try.”
The program differs from a DriveTest exam as participants learn more about positioning than how to operate the vehicle.
"That's actually an important distinction because some people are afraid to come to a CarFit event because they think we're assessing their ability to drive," said Grant. "We're not looking at any of that. It's more about how to position your vehicle and yourself in the vehicle, safe driving, and to keep them driving."
“CarFit gives us an opportunity, from an injury prevention lens, to provide an assessment of helping fit seniors, mostly, to their car, to make sure if they are in an unfortunate event of an accident, they are as safe as possible and hopefully keep them safer even before that,” said Lynda Foster, trauma co-ordinator for Southlake.
While the program is tailored for seniors because of age-related vulnerabilities, it is open to anyone. Drivers learn how to ensure a clear line of sight over the steering wheel, maintain adequate space between the driver and the airbag, properly position the pedals, and adjust the mirrors to minimize blind spots.
Geer said it’s important for drivers who spend time regularly in the car to participate in the program as they can be complacent when out on the road.
“Your car is there, and you get in and drive, and you never really check your mirrors, never really check where your steering wheel is because we’re always in such a hurry. So it’s nice to take that time to really look at your car and make sure you’re safe when you’re in the vehicle.”
The entire occupational therapy team at Southlake received training before welcoming guests to perform the CarFit program and provide one-on-one training with patients.
For more information about the program, click here.
