Free seminars focus on safe driving for seniors

When an elderly relative has a crash, it might be too late to talk to them about giving up on driving, says Kurt Gray, the owner of the Seniors Helping Seniors Metro Springfield.

That’s why it’s important for people to talk to the seniors in their family early, before their ability to drive declines too much due to physical, vision, or cognitive impairment, Gray says.

Gray’s company, KEG Consulting Driver Safety Services, in collaboration with Seniors Helping Seniors, offers a free one-hour seminar focused on helping older drivers stay safe, confident, and independent behind the wheel.

“Our goal is to educate senior drivers and their families, empowering them to make informed, safe choices that can help extend their driving years and improve their quality of life,” Gray says.

Gray can present the seminars at senior centers, senior living communities, and nonprofit organizations. Anyone who wants to arrange a seminar should contact him at [email protected].

Related story: Seniors Helping Seniors helps older people live independently

“Most people don’t think about ever retiring from driving. They think they’re going to drive forever. That’s not the case,” says Gray, the former director of driver education and training for the AAA Club Alliance.

Men will outlive their ability to drive by an average of six years, he says. For women, it’s 10 years.

KEG Consulting also provides a senior-focused driving assessment designed to give individuals personalized feedback and recommendations based on their driving abilities. “This assessment helps older drivers and their families make informed decisions about driving safety while maintaining independence for as long as possible,” he says.

He urges younger family members “to plant the seed” about seniors giving up driving, while also developing a plan for how they can get around without driving. “The fact that we’re having the conversation is important,” he says, “because people don’t think about it until something bad happens. And then it’s too late.”

Hiding the car keys or disabling the vehicle doesn’t work, he says. People can always get new keys or have the battery reattached.

Gray notes that his mother can no longer drive because of a vision problem, but she has a care partner who takes her shopping and to church and doctor appointments. That’s something Seniors Helping Seniors can help with.

Seniors Helping Seniors recruits and trains active retirees to help older, less independent seniors with transportation, as well as household assistance and companionship. The Metro Springfield franchise serves Annandale, along with other communities in Fairfax County.