Newton Wellesley Hospital’s Drive Safe & Other Resources

On this page we have compiled links that will help you prepare to have the difficult and highly sensitive conversation about asking your parent to refrain from driving. We have also included local Driving Safety Resources and Evaluation Programs. For information on Dementia and Driving, please scroll to the bottom of this page.  We hope you will find this list of Driving Safety Resources helpful. "Driving while old" can be deadly.

Click Here for tips from the AARP Driver Safety Program

Click Here for worksheets on calculating costs for elderly drivers and alternative transportation options

abc's article on dealing with Aging Parents and their reluctance to give up driving

Click here for more resources on dealing with difficult issues with your aging parents such as driving and finances.

Ten Tips for talking to your parents about giving up driving

American Diabetes Association Issues New Position Statement of Driving Restrictions for People with Diabetes

Beth Israel Deaconess Hopsital - DriveWise
330 Brookline Ave.
Boston, MA 02116
Phone: 617-667-4074
click here for the brochure on the Drivewise program

DriveWise provides comprehensive evaluation of the driving performance of individuals who may have compromised driving skills, due to impairment in motor, cognitive, perceptual and/or sensory abilities. The team include clinicians from behavioral neurology, clinical social work and occupational therapy. An on-the-road driving assessment is included with a patient and family feedback meeting.

Spaulding Rehabilitation Hospital Network

Driving Evaluation Program

300 Granite Street
Braintree, MA 02184
Phone: 781-843-1145
Fax: 617 573-2610
An evaluation is conducted by an occupational therapist at one of the four centers by using a simulated system with steering wheels, accelerator and break pedals for reaction time testing. An evaluation will test vision, depth perception, motor planning and problem solving skills. Some results could produce suggestions to making adaptation on your car or a recommendation to see the ophthalmologist.

Newton Wellesley Hospital
Drive Safe
2014 Washington Street
Newton, MA 02462
Phone: 617-243-6172
The Drive Safe program within the Rehabilitation Service Department is designed for adults who are experiencing functional change due to medical conditions, trauma, surgery, neurological incidents, or aging. The Evaluation includes a comprehensive assessment of the visual, perceptual, cognitive and physical skills necessary for driving as well as knowledge of the rules of the road and driving safety. If the patient demonstrates the prerequisites skills for driving, the occupational therapist will coordinate a behind the wheel assessment that is conducted by a licensed driving instructor.

Understanding Dementia and Driving: More than 5 million people in the U.S. are afflicted with dementia, with Alzheimer's disease being the most common form. Deciding when to limit or stop driving can be a confusing issue for individuals diagnosed with dementia.