Helping Drivers Make the Best Choices
DriveWise and DriveAdvise: Assessing cognitive impairment to ensure safe driving
The DriveWise and DriveAdvise programs at Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center share the same goal: to help drivers and their families determine the right course of action when cognitive impairment may affect their ability to drive safely.
DriveWise®
The goal of DriveWise is to provide
objective information about driving safety while providing
support for individuals and their families.
For more information about DriveWise, please call (617) 667-4074.
What is DriveWise?
Recognized as a national model, DriveWise offers an objective evaluation of driving safety for people of all ages who have experienced neurological, psychological and/or physical impairments.
Because driving is important to one's independence, health care providers and family members are careful not to end driving privileges prematurely. On the other hand, delaying this decision can jeopardize safety.
DriveWise was developed by the divisions of Cognitive Neurology and Occupational Therapy at Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center to help with this difficult decision making process. The program is comprised of a multidisciplinary team, including social workers, occupational therapists, and neuropsychologists. This unique team approach results in a thorough examination of driving performance.
What does a DriveWise evaluation include?
1. Social Work Assessment
The participant is introduced to the program by a clinical social worker who takes a careful history and reviews the role of driving in the individual's life. Support for the individual and family members is provided.
2. Occupational Therapy Assessment
The participant's physical, visual and cognitive abilities are assessed by the Occupational Therapist prior to the on-road evaluation. Standardized tests based on research and reflecting best practice are used to assess function.
3. On-Road Evaluation
The Occupational Therapist and a certified driving instructor assess actual driving performance and safety during a standardized on-road evaluation using the driving instructor's car. This vehicle can be adapted to meet the needs of people with disabilities.
4. Follow-up with Social Worker
A detailed written summary with recommendations from the team is reviewed with the participant at the follow up meeting. A copy of the report is sent to the referring physician. The social worker can provide educational materials on driving, arrange transportation alternatives, and/or refer participants to training programs to improve driving skills.
What if it's not safe to continue driving?
If driving cessation is recommended as a result of the evaluation, practical and emotional support is provided by the clinical social worker and alternative methods of transportation are identified.
How are referrals made?
Family members, primary care physicians, or specialists may make referrals by calling Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center's Division of Cognitive Neurology at (617) 667-4074.
What is the cost of the program?
This program is primarily fee-for-service. However, some insurers may cover a portion of the driving evaluation. Due to wide variations in coverage, all participants are strongly urged to check with their own insurance plans.
DriveAdvise
DriveAdvise is a new pre-driving assessment program offered as part of DriveWise. The goal of DriveAdvise is to promote maximum independence while balancing safety needs for those patients who are trying to decide if learning or relearning how to drive is feasible and safe.
Similar to DriveWise, DriveAdvise utilizes the multidisciplinary team approach to assess driving readiness and capacity. DriveAdvise is targeted for people who have never driven and are considering learning to drive, or for those who had driven but have stopped driving for a number of years due to a medical or neuropsychiatric illness.
The assessment begins with an interview with a clinical social worker. This meeting focuses on motivations for learning or returning to driving as well as current lifestyle adjustments related to transportation needs. You will then meet with an Occupational Therapist, experienced in evaluating driving safety. The OT will test cognitive functions such as attention, memory and processing speed and also physical functioning, such as brake reaction time, strength and range of motion. A computer-based test that measures visual functions critical to driving will be used.
Following the assessment the team will meet and write a letter summarizing findings and recommendations. These recommendations will be shared with you and your family in a meeting with the social worker.
