Programs to Evaluate Driving Performance
Listed below are programs that can evaluate an individual's ability to continue to drive independently, whether they can become an independent driver, or if an individual needs adaptive equipment.
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Eastern Iowa Region
St Luke’s Hospital
1026 A. Ave NE
Cedar Rapids, IA 52406-3026
Contact Person: Occupational Therapy Secretary's Office
319-369-7279
This is a 2-part outpatient program that includes a 1 ½ hour clinical assessment and a 1 hour driving/road evaluation. The program has both a car and van modified with adaptive equipment.
A physician must make a referral for the evaluation, or the participant may be sponsored by vocational rehab. The results of the evaluation will be sent to the referring physician within about one week.
The policy of this program is to not report results of the evaluation to the Iowa Department of Transportation (IDOT).
This program is very similar to the program at Younker Rehab. Wayne Cope, the Driver instructor at Younker Rehab Center, provides the behind-the-wheel services at St. Luke’s.
The evaluation cost is about $700 and usually is not covered by insurance.
Mercy Medical Center – Cedar Rapids
701 10th St SE
Cedar Rapids, IA 52403
Contact person: Melissa Mortenson, OTR/L
319-398-6020
Upon the referral of a physician, the Occupational Therapy Department is able to provide a thorough evaluation of an individual’s physical and cognitive abilities that are required to drive an automobile. Following this assessment, a report is forwarded to the referring doctor to enable him/her to make an informed decision about the patient’s skills and abilities to drive safely.
The driving evaluation consists of:
- Evaluation of Physical Range of Motion and Strength.
- Vision
- Cognition
- Reaction Time
- Assessment of Road Knowledge
The costs for this program vary by service. It can range from $125 to about $400. Medicare or secondary insurance may cover the driving evaluation if the client is referred by a physician.
The policy of this program is to not report results of the evaluation to the Iowa Department of Transportation (IDOT).
For more information about this service, don’t hesitate to call 319-398-6020 and ask to speak to one of their Occupational Therapists.
Great River Medical Center
West Burlington , IA
Contact person: Valerie Felland OTR/L
319-768-4111
This is a 2-part evaluation, which includes a one and a half hour clinical assessment of strength, vision, perception, reaction time and cognition, and a one hour behind-the-wheel assessment.
Usually a physician's referral is preferred, but private-pay evaluations are also available. The results of the evaluation will be shared with the client and the referring physician the day of the appointment or the day after. Recommendations will be given to the physician to discuss with the client.
The policy of this program is to not report results of the evaluation to the Iowa Department of Transportation (IDOT).
The cost of the evaluation is usually around $300, but it is time-based. The cost is sometimes covered by insurance as occupational therapy.
Wayne Cope, Driver instructor at Younker Rehab. Center of Des Moines, provides services approximately once a month, for the behind-the-wheel portion of the evaluation.
Genesis Medical Center
1401 West Central Park Ave
Davenport , IA 52804
Contact person: Gretchen Cluff, OTR/L CDRS
Phone: 563-421-1480
Fax: 563-421-1474
Email: cluffg@genesishealth.com
The program is located in the Occupational Therapy Department.
The cost of the evaluation is around $200. It is a 2-part evaluation including a clinical and behind the wheel exam. A physician's referral is needed for this evaluation.
The clinical phase lasts approximately two hours and consists of an evaluation by an occupational therapist. The evaluation assesses a person's abilities/limitations in visual acuity, peripheral vision, visual processing, perceptual motor skills, judgement/problem solving, mobility status, upper and lower exremily strength, range of motion, and proprioception/sensation, reaction time, overall endurance, auditory and reading comprehension, verbal expression, and memory.
Following a successful clinical evaluation, the client participates in a behind the wheel evaluation with the occupational therapist, who is a Certified Driving Rehabilitation Specialist. The individual is placed in a variety of driving situations with or without the use of driving aids, depending on his/her limitations.
The patient's performance is reviewed and a recommendation is made to the referring physician.
The policy of this program is to not report results of the evaluation to the Iowa Department of Transportation (IDOT).
Central Iowa Region
Younker Rehab Center
Iowa Methodist Medical Center
1200 Pleasant St. OP Therapy Y3
Des Moines, IA 50309
Contact person: Sue Toale Knapp, OTR/L, CDRS
515-241-8139
This is a 2 hour, 2-part evaluation in the Occupational Therapy Department that includes a clinical assessment and a behind the wheel evaluation. The in-clinic evaluation includes assessing vision, vision perception, cognition, strength, coordination, and equipment needs as necessary. The program has available both a car and van modified with adaptive equipment, and can provide necessary training by a Certified Driver Instructor.
A physician must make a referral for the evaluation; referrals can be faxed to Sue Knapp at 515-241-5137. Recommendations resulting from the evaluation will be reviewed with the client at the end of the session, and evaluation results will be sent to the referring physician.
The policy of this program is to not report results of the evaluation to the Iowa Department of Transportation (IDOT).
The evaluation cost is $280 and usually is not covered by insurance.
Veterans Affairs (VA) Central Iowa Health Care Systems
1515 West Pleasant St.
Building 102, Room 127
Knoxville, IA 50138
Contact: Mike Christian, RKT, DRS
641-842-3101 or 800-816-8878 Ext 6082
This evaluation is available for VA-eligible veterans only.
Mike Christian, a registered Kinesiotherapist, serves both the Knoxville and Des Moines VA Hospitals, or can visit clients in their own homes.
This evaluation includes a clinical and behind-the-wheel assessment. The clinical portion includes written tests, visual exams, balance, muscle strength tasks, and more. There is also a new driving simulator available at the VA.
A physician must make a referral for this evaluation. The client will receive immediate feedback from the evaluation and recommendations will be sent to the referring physician to be discussed with the client.
The policy of this program is to only report the results of the evaluation to the Iowa Department of Transportation (IDOT) if the client’s driving behavior may be a danger to himself and others on the road or in response to the request by the IDOT that a medical form be filled out by the client’s physician
Costs vary for the evaluation, depending on the client’s service connection.
Covenant Medical Center
3421 West 9th St
Waterloo, IA 50702
Contact Persons: Susan Hoey, MS, OTR/L or Jill Harlan, OTR/L, CLT
319-272-7200
The program is located in the Occupational Therapy Department.
This is a clinical evaluation only. It includes approximately a 1 ½ hour evaluation of areas such as vision, perception, memory, attention, problem-solving and physical evaluations of range of neck movement, function of extremities and a reaction timer task for accelerating / braking.
The cost of the evaluation is $180 and is ofter covered by insurance. The cost is subject to change. A physician must make a referral for the evaluation.
Western Iowa Region
Immanuel Medical Center-Alegent Health Systems
6901 North 72nd Street
Omaha, NE 68122
Contact Person: Kathy Peterson
402-572-2327
This is a 2-part, 2-hour evaluation. The first part is a clinical exam, which is followed by an on-the-road portion.
The evaluation cost is $265, which is sometimes covered by medical insurance as occupational therapy.
A physician must make a referral for the evaluation. Most patients are referred with a diagnosis. The recommendations and reports of the evaluation are sent to the referring doctor as well as the client about a week after the evaluation.
The policy of this program is to not report results of the evaluation to the Iowa Department of Transportation (IDOT).
Palo Alto Community Hospital
3201 1st St.
Emmetsburg, IA 50536
Contact Person: Sarah Hubbell, OTR/L
712-852-5400
This program is a pre-driving screen on such areas as cognition, vision and motor function. If results show impairment, this facility may work on changeable aspects.
This evaluation is usually covered by Medicare as a charge for occupational therapy evaluation. A physician must make a referral for the evaluation.
Following the evaluation, a dictated report is sent to the referring physician for a signature, and recommendations are discussed. Phone contact is made with the physician when needed.
The policy of this program is to report results of the evaluation to the Iowa Department of Transportation (IDOT) only if such an action is deemed necessary by the Occupational Therapist and the referring physician.
This facility can also make recommendations for a behind-the-wheel evaluation.
Other Resources
Adaptive Experts Inc.
This is the largest driver rehabilitation company in the country with technologically advanced equipment . It is staffed by licensed Occupational Therapists and licensed drivers/trainers. They currently have 17 adaptively controlled vehicles with multiple controls.
The evaluation is 2 parts consisting of a clinical evaluation and a behind the wheel portion. During the clinical evaluation the client is tested on vision, reaction time, cognitive skills, range of motion, and other pre-screening tests. The complete evaluation usually lasts about 2 hours.
You do not need a referral for an evaluation with Adaptive Experts, Inc. The cost for a basic evaluation is $295. They also offer on-site services which cost an additional $2 per mile, round trip.
Evaluation results are first discussed with the client, and then a detailed written report with recommendations is sent to the client, their physician, and/or the referral source.
The policy of this program is to not report results of the evaluation to the Iowa Department of Transportation (IDOT).
The company is based out of Minnesota, but they have a local therapist in Iowa. Denise Kluever OTR/L is willing to go to the patients’ home for the evaluation. She can be contacted by calling Adaptive Experts at 1-651-501-5680
Find more information about Adaptive Experts by visiting their website at www.adaptiveexperts.com
AARP
For guidelines on when to stop driving, see AARP’s webpage at www.aarp.org/families/driver_safety/driver_safetyissues/a2004-06-21-whentostop.html
Do your driving skills need a tune-up?
www.aarp.org/states/ia/ia-news/do_your_driving_skills_need_a_tuneup.html
AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety
Another website with useful information and suggestions for older drivers and their families is maintained by the AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety at this site: www.seniordrivers.org/home/index.cfm
On this site, there is a webpage (www.seniordrivers.org/notdriving/notdriving.cfm) for concerned family members with two helpful Foundation publications addressing driving ability and surrendering the keys; both are available in PDF versions for easy printing. One booklet is designed for the older driver to assess their own performance with a self-rating form of questions and facts on safe driving.
Family conversations with older drivers. Safe Driving for a Lifetime.
We need to talk...
An award-winning publication from The Hartford regarding talking with an older family member or friend about their driving.
Older Driver Information—Resources, guides, workbooks and informational brochures from the State of Iowa Department of Transportation
Planning for transition for an older driver Driving Retirement
Guide for family members of older persons with Dementia or Alzheimer’s disease Driving with Diminished Skills
Renewing your driver’s license can be stressful for older person, worrying about the vision screening and/or the knowledge skills with a driving test. Driver's License Renewal in Iowa
Why be concerned about seniors’ mobility? Older Drivers & Risk
Guide to refresh driving knowledge of safe driving rules and practices. This workbook includes questions on Iowa law, rules for safe driving, and the meaning of signs. Senior Driver's Information Guide
Resources for Community Leaders and Professionals
Seniors Benefit From Transportation Coordination Partnerships - A Toolbox
A resource for professionals and community leaders intended to inspire and guide transportation practices in other communities.
National Center on Senior Tranportation Website
The National Center on Senior Transportation is pleased to announce the
launch of its new Web site at www.seniortransportation.net. Six months in development, the site offers extensive resources toward the advancement of transportation options for older adults who wish to live more independently within their communities. The Web site is the NCST's most important way of extending its information and resources to the public, including announcements, facts and tips, publications, special events, opportunities of others, and technical assistance for the aging and human service community, transit providers, and older adults and caregivers.
Based in Washington, D.C., the NCST is approaching its one-year anniversary in August as a partnership of Easter Seals Inc. and the National Association of Area Agencies on Aging. Additional team members are the Community Transportation Association of America, the National Association of State Units on Aging, the American Society on Aging and the Beverly Foundation. A national steering committee helps to guide the center's work. The NCST is administered by the Federal Transit Administration and the U.S. Administration on Aging, and it is funded
through a cooperative agreement with the FTA.
DRIVEWELL: Promoting Older Driver Safety & Mobility in Your Community Funded by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. DriveWell is a comprehensive information program designed to:
Promote community conversations that can lead to increased driver safety and more transportation choices for adults ages 65 and older; Encourage older drivers to change when and how they drive; Prompt older adults to use alternative forms of transportation Stimulate communities to assess the need for and, if needed, offer transportation choices more responsive to the needs of older adults.
DriveWell- Download free DriveWell Resources
Includes: Information about older driver health and wellness; prepared scripts for presentations to community groups, older adults, and caregivers; Ready-to-use PowerPoint presentations; Information about promoting older driver wellness programs in your community; and more...
American Automobile Association Report: "Enhancement of Driving
Performance Among Older Drivers," by Richard A. Marottoli (October 2007,
.pdf format, 61p.).
http://www.aaafoundation.org
Fact Sheet:
http://www.aaafoundation.org
DrivingPerfFS
Slide Show (HTML and Microsoft PowerPoint format):
HTML:
http://www.aaafoundation.org
/v3_document.htm
.ppt:
http://www.aaafoundation.org
iving.ppt