AARP Driver Safety and Touro University Nevada to Host Carfit Event, Providing Vehicle and Safety Tips for Older Drivers
Students from Touro University Nevada’s School of Occupational Therapy alongside staff and volunteers of AARP Nevada will host a free, open to the community CarFit event for drivers in Southern Nevada on Tuesday, October 7 from 2 p.m. to 6 p.m. at Sunset Station Hotel & Casino.
CarFit, a national program developed by AAA, AARP and the American Occupational Therapy Association (AOTA), is designed to give a quick, yet comprehensive check on how well an older driver and their vehicle work together. Experts provide those attending with a 12-point checklist for their vehicle recommending adjustments that help make their cars “fit” better for comfort and safety. The items checked include; positioning of the driver’s seat; the driver’s ability to reach pedals properly; proper adjustments of mirrors; and much more.
“It is important that drivers make safety a personal priority,” said Shelley Berkley, CEO and Senior Provost, Touro University Nevada. “Driving today is more difficult than ever because of traffic congestion, longer commute distances, new technology and faster speeds. Older drivers can take important measures that make driving safer.”
Occupational therapy students from Touro University Nevada will teach drivers how to maintain and improve aspects related to their driving health. The students will also be on-hand to provide information to participants addressing individual needs, including information about local community resources on exercise, nutrition and other programs to help keep them safe on the road.
“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 Ralph Schlesinger, state coordinator, AARP Driver Safety Nevada. “CarFit provides older adults with the tools to understand and apply the safety features of their car.”
A licensed occupational therapist will be available to assist drivers with additional suggestions and programs to help maintain driver safety and independence. Older drivers may also follow their CarFit check-up by taking a refresher course with AARP Driver Safety or their local AAA club.
About Touro University Nevada
Touro University Nevada (TUN) is a private, non-profit, Jewish-sponsored institution established to help address critical needs in health care and education and as a resource for community service in the state of Nevada. TUN opened its doors in 2004 and is now home to more than 1,300 students, in a wide variety of degree programs including osteopathic medicine, physician assistant studies, education, nursing, occupational therapy and physical therapy. The university’s Henderson campus includes a multi-specialty health center and a multi-disciplinary Center for Autism and Developmental Disabilities. For more information on TUN, please visit www.tun.touro.edu or call 702- 777-8687.
About AARP Nevada
AARP is a nonprofit, nonpartisan organization with a membership that helps people 50+ have independence, choice and control in ways that are beneficial and affordable to them and society as a whole. AARP does not endorse candidates for public office or make contributions to either political campaigns or candidates. We produce AARP The Magazine, the definitive voice for 50+ Americans and the world’s largest-circulation magazine with over 35.1 million readers; AARP Bulletin, the go-to news source for AARP’s millions of members and Americans 50+; AARP VIVA, our bilingual multimedia platform for Hispanic members; and our website, AARP.org. AARP Foundation is an affiliated charity that provides security, protection, and empowerment to older persons in need with support from thousands of volunteers, donors, and sponsors. We have staffed offices in all 50 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands.
For more information about AARP Nevada, visit aarp.org/nv
For more information about AARP Driver Safety, visit aarp.org/drive
About CarFit
CarFit is an educational program that offers older adults the opportunity to check how well their personal vehicles “fit” them. The CarFit program also provides information and materials on community-specific resources that could enhance their safety as drivers, and/or increase their mobility in the community. For more information, please visit www.car-fit.org
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Mandi McCary
702-277-7107
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