Assessment tools predicting fitness to drive in older adults: a systematic review.
This systematic review synthesizes the research on screening and assessment tools used to determine older adults' fitness to drive. After a comprehensive search of the literature targeting tools commonly used by occupational therapists, 64 studies were reviewed and synthesized. The evidence demonstrated that a single tool measuring cognition, vision, perception, or physical ability individually is not sufficient to determine fitness to drive. Although some tools have stronger evidence than others, this review supports using different and focused assessment tools together for specific medical conditions. Results indicate that behind-the-wheel assessment remains the gold standard for driving evaluation; however, emerging evidence for observation of complex instrumental tasks of daily living and driving simulation supports further investigation with these tools.
Anne E. Dickerson, PhD, OTR/L, FAOTA, is Professor, Department of Occupational Therapy, East Carolina University, 3305 Health Sciences Building, Greenville, NC 27858; dickersona@ecu.edu.
Anne E
AE
Dickerson
Danielle Brown Meuel, MS, OTR, is Occupational Therapist, Alta Bates Medical Center, Berkeley, CA.
Danielle Brown
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Meuel
Cyrus David Ridenour, MS, OTR, is Acute Care Therapist, Trinity Mother Francis Hospital, Tyler, TX.
Cyrus David
CD
Ridenour
Kristen Cooper, MS, OTR/L, is Occupational Therapist, TriStar StoneCrest Medical Center, Nashville, TN.
Kristen
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Cooper
D000368:Aged; D000375:Aging; D001334:Automobile Driving; D003071:Cognition; D015577:Geriatric Assessment / Q000379:methods*; D006801:Humans; D000068079:Motor Disorders / Q000534:rehabilitation; D009788:Occupational Therapy / Q000193:education / Q000458:organization & administration*; D010809:Physical Fitness; D014186:Transportation / Q000379:methods; D014786:Vision Disorders / Q000534:rehabilitation