188. CARFIT: The free program helping seniors stay safe behind the steering wheel

Aging in Style with Lori Williams

How is CARFIT good for seniors?

It’s important for everyone to be as safe as possible on the road, and CARFIT helps ensure you're in the best position to stay safe in your vehicle. I had the pleasure of welcoming Amanda Mills, RN, Trauma Program Manager with Medical City Lewisville’s to learn all about CARFIT events and how they can help the senior population in particular.

In 2006 CARFIT was created in collaboration with AAA, AARP, and the American Occupational Therapy Association. CARFIT is a volunteer-driven initiative dedicated to ensuring driver safety on the road by conducting thorough car assessments. This is especially important for the older adult population as they undergo different changes with their vision and reflexes. These appointments are free of charge and last 20 minutes on average, with more complex visits taking 30 minutes.

One common issue is many people don’t wear their seatbelt correctly because it cuts into their neck. This results in the seatbelt not working properly to protect you when there's a crash. CARFIT volunteers help make sure the seatbelt aligns correctly on your shoulder so it’s safe and comfortable.

Another consideration for car safety is that airbags deploy at 100 – 200 miles per hour. As a result it's important to position the steering wheel at least 10 inches away and making sure it's pointed toward the chest for maximum safety.

The CARFIT program offers an important service that could help save your life. Go to carfit.org to find an event near you or learn more about education and training to bring this program to your community.

Topics discussed:

- The CARFIT program

- Vehicle safety for seniors

- Car safety tips

- Misconceptions about CARFIT

- Where to find CARFIT near you

Takeaways from this episode:

-CARFIT offers a 12-point inspection covering essential car safety such as seat positioning, steering wheel alignment, seatbelt placement, and airbag safety.

- Appointments are free and typically last 20 minutes.

- A common fear for seniors is that their car will be taken away. CARFIT is not a driving diagnostic, as focus is on the vehicle itself in relation to the passenger. Nothing is shared with the DMV.

- Seatbelt and steering wheel positioning are two easy ways to optimize safety in your car.

Resources mentioned in this episode:

Get my new book, 'Surrounded by Love: One's Family Journey Through Stroke Recovery': https://loriwilliams-seniorservices.com/book

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Contact Amanda Mills to register for the Lewisville event on May 2 at 9 a.m. - 12 p.m. CT: Email: [e-mail]

Phone: [phone]

Visit carfit.org to learn more