CarFit event for senior drivers set Oct. 7; participants can sign up now, volunteers needed

CarFit, a program that provides a 12-point safety check of the driving position of senior drivers, will be held from 10 a.m. to noon on Wednesday, Oct. 7, at the Idaho State University Holt Arena parking lot’s northeast corner.

Participation is by appointment only. Appointments can be made now by calling the ISU Department of Physical and Occupational Therapy at (208) 282-2590.

CarFit is a joint program of the AARP, AAA, and American Occupational Therapy Association. The Idaho State University masters of occupational therapy program is sponsoring this CarFit event, which will be the first held in Idaho.

Occupational therapy students, as well as volunteers from the local AARP district, will be trained to conduct a 12-point check of senior drivers and their automobiles to help them find the safest driving position and to take advantage of all the adjustability built into modern automobiles. The checklist includes such things as seat belt fit, seat height, use of foot controls, steering wheel position, headrest adjustment, and mirror adjustment. Participation in CarFit takes about 20 minutes.

Free training for these CarFit Technicians will be conducted the day before the event, October 6, from 8 a.m. to noon.  Members of the community who would like to be trained to work at the CarFit event are still being sought.  Those interested should contact Ted Peterson at the ISU occupational therapy program at (208) 282-4631.

It is important to note that CarFit is an educational event.  It is not an assessment or test of any kind.  Its purpose is solely to provide information to senior drivers regarding safe driving positions. CarFit volunteers will make no judgments about any person’s driving capability or skill.

Visit  www.aarp.org/family/articles/aarp_carfit_program.html or www.car-fit.org for more information.