The CarFit initiative represents a national collaboration between the American Occupational Therapy Association (AOTA), AAA, and AARP that has served more than 50,000 seniors since its inception in 2005, with expansion to Australia, New Zealand, and Canada.
Occupational therapy professionals participate in the CarFit program, supporting aging drivers to stay active on the road and behind the wheel. The CarFit program consists of free safety education on in-vehicle safety features, explaining how they work and how to find the safest adjustment for the tallest to the smallest individual driver. The program supports drivers by focusing on the driver's comfort, safety, and fit within their vehicle.
Inspired by crash statistics highlighting the frailty and fragility of the aging body, visionaries of these associations came together to combine expertise, missions, access to older drivers, and leaders in transportation and healthcare to design and deliver a public health message of injury prevention and safety for the aging driver. As CarFit has expanded nationally, the need for individualized adjustment of vehicle safety features is clear and the CarFit safety messages are increasingly recognized as important for drivers of any age. All drivers can benefit from finding their safest and most comfortable fit!
Community members attending a CarFit event will benefit from:
Determining how well they currently fit in their automobile.
Understanding the various safety features and the individualized adjustment that may be required.
Opening up the opportunity to discuss driving safety.
Planning and exploring mobility options for the active driver.
Occupational therapy practitioners participating in CarFit events benefit by:
Learning about person-to-vehicle fit and how it can be used in practice.
Preparing to see the client they work with at CarFit as a driver or passenger in a personal vehicle.
Equipping clients to consider the impact of medical conditions from short-term recovery from surgery to long-term management of mobility devices.
CarFit events are free and held in community settings nationwide. The volunteer leaders include occupational therapy practitioners who use a 12-point checklist to ensure that each driver’s car is adjusted properly for the best “fit,” and that the safety features of the vehicle are explained, increasing the likelihood that they are being used optimally. The entire process takes about 20 minutes.
During a CarFit event, volunteers check for:
A seat belt that holds the driver in the proper position and remains comfortable while driving.
The tilt of the steering wheel and position of the airbag.
At least 10 inches of room between the chest and the airbag housed in the steering wheel.
A properly adjusted head restraint.
A driver's clear line of sight above the steering wheel and dash.
Easy access to accelerator/gas and brake pedals.
Properly adjusted mirrors, to see behind and around the vehicle by reducing the driver’s blind spots.
The ability to turn the vehicle’s ignition key with ease or operate an ignition system.
Easy reach and operation of vehicle controls including turn signals, headlights, emergency flashers, windshield wipers, and the parking brake, among others.
You fit in! Occupational therapy's role at CarFit
We have a unique and specific role at CarFit events. The CarFit program uses an efficient triage model, where trained community volunteers (including occupational therapy practitioners) review education guided by a 12 -point checklist. This "check-up" is followed by "check-out" where occupational therapy practitioners are positioned to take the time with active "community-dwelling" drivers or senior drivers to review any items or concerns that were marked for further discussion.
Take advantage of the CarFit event to educate older drivers:
Offer education about basic devices or “gadgets” (off the shelf and for the non-moving vehicle).
Correlate some of the driver’s disclosed concerns (stiffness, pain, etc.) with driving risk.
Raise awareness.
Explore options that may include the suggestion to discuss concerns with their healthcare provider or seek the services offered by a driver rehabilitation program.
Recognize the outcome of the CarFit event is to offer education only. (This is NOT therapy).
Remember that safety is enhanced when people are informed.
Understand that an unknown impairment may increase risk awareness.
Promote that the event allows the driver to make informed choices.
Suggested preparation for CarFit training and event:
Get familiar with the basic issues facing older drivers.
Remember that occupational therapy is uniquely positioned to respond to the growing need to assist senior drivers to stay on the road as long as safely possible.
Become aware of this critical public health issue and the services occupational therapy may offer.
Read AOTA official documents under partner resources in our Driving & Community Mobility Toolkit to learn more about driving and community mobility.
Become aware of driver rehabilitation resources in your local area.
Create a resource list of driving rehabilitation programs (include a description of their programs and services) for use as a handout at CarFit and in your practice.
You may choose to modify or develop additional resources:
Create a list of transportation service providers for use at the CarFit Event and in your practice.
Develop a transportation alternatives directory.
Invite driving champions and driving specialists to participate in your CarFit event.
Consider creating services that will address the driving needs of your clients and seniors in your community if driver rehabilitation programs are sparse or do not exist.
Check out our Driving & Community Mobility Toolkit for resources on building awareness and expanding your practice.
Distribute adaptive equipment or “gadget” information.
Create a display of adaptive equipment with explanations as to their purpose and benefit
Offer a handout describing the devices and where to get them. (Caution- CarFit does NOT endorse any products or vendors)
Explore CarFit videos for program overview & tips
Learn more about the CarFit program through these brief videos and feel free to share!
Find out how to get the best fit in your personal vehicle by attending this 45-minute on-demand, online workshop. The on-demand workshop is a self-paced complement to the live, virtual workshop and will teach you what to look for when it comes to fit, the everyday household objects you can use to measure and make adjustments, and how this may keep you safer on the road.
The CarFit program is hosting a series of Virtual Workshops to provide an in-depth look at several key aspects involved in getting a proper fit in your vehicle. Learn about what to look for when it comes to fit, the everyday household objects you can use to measure and make adjustments, and how this may keep you safer on the road. Register for a Virtual Workshop today!
