Campus Life

UWF Center on Aging to host local CarFit event

The University of West Florida Center on Aging will host a local CarFit event, a program designed to help older drivers find a better “fit” with their cars, on Thursday, April 9 from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. The event will highlight a proud CarFit milestone by welcoming the 50,000th driver at a CarFit event.

The University of West Florida Center on Aging will host a local CarFit event, a program designed to help older drivers find a better “fit” with their cars, on Thursday, April 9 from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. The event will highlight a proud CarFit milestone by welcoming the 50,000th driver at a CarFit event.

“The Florida Panhandle is home to some of the most active older adults in the State and for the Center on Aging to bring this Program here to improve their confidence behind the wheel is simply a joy,” said Dr. Rodney Guttmann, director of the UWF Center on Aging. “Driving is a major point of focus for maintaining independence and with this incredible academic-community partnership we are demonstrating our commitment for our community to be the safest and most informed in the region.”

The CarFit program was created through a partnership between AAA, AARP and the American Occupational Therapy Association to help promote conversations between older drivers and their families about driving safety, maximize safe driving independence and help seniors get a better comfort and safety fit behind the wheel.

CarFit events use a trained team, including occupational therapy practitioners, to assist older drivers with items such as a clear line-of-sight over the steering wheel; adequate space between the front air bag/steering wheel and the driver’s breastbone; properly adjusted head restraints; proper positioning on gas and brake pedals; and proper seat belt use and fit, and safe positioning of mirrors to minimize blind spots.

“As we age, changes in our vision, flexibility, strength, range of motion and even size and height may make us less comfortable and reduce our control behind the wheel,” said Rhonda Shah, AAA spokesperson. “CarFit provides older adults with the tools to understand and apply the safety features of their car.”

According to a national survey of more than 7,000 seniors, the top four “fit” challenges for older drivers included improper distance from steering wheel; adequate and safe views from side mirrors; and improper seat height (28 percent) and improper head restraint height. After a run through the CarFit twelve-point checklist, 97 percent of participants’ issues were resolved. Other survey findings revealed that nine in 10 older drivers buckle up when they get behind the wheel and more than a third have taken driver improvement courses.

The mission of the UWF Center on Aging is to improve the quality of life of aging adults through the application of science to address challenges associated with aging and to promote healthy aging, with an emphasis on prevention.

For more information about CarFit, visit http://www.car-fit.org.