We assess your ability to return to driving safely following the diagnosis of a medical condition. We make use of an office-based and on-road assessment in collaboration with a qualified driving instructor.
Return to the road, return to health.
FIELDS OF INTEREST
We focus on the following fields:
- Visual disorders
- Hearing disorders (dizziness and deafness)
- Upper or lower limb amputees
- Muscular conditions (weakness / affected coordination)
- Cardiovascular disorders
- Diabetes mellitus
- Neurological conditions (Stroke, Multiple Sclerosis, Parkinson’s disease, Epilepsy)
- Mental disorders (Dementia, Cognitive impairments)
- Renal and respiratory disorders
As ageing progresses, a driver or his/her relative(s) may be aware that the combination of progressive loss of memory, impairment in concentration and reaction time with possible loss of confidence, suggests consideration be given to ceasing driving.
“Take responsibility for your driving decisions and maintain your fitness behind the wheel, by assessing your fitness to drive.”
– Takkie Pistorius, Founder & Managing Therapist
THE ASSESSMENT
In a driving assessment, the assessor aims to examine how a medical condition, ageing or disability impacts on a person’s ability to drive with the view of giving guidance on returning to (or starting) driving, if necessary using different techniques or adaptations. The assessment has two phases:
Phase 1 – Office Based Assessment
Phase one consists of a 2.5 hour office based assessment (day 1 of assessment) with 3 possible outcomes:
- If the outcome of the office based assessment indicates a referral to an on-road assessment, an appointment is made with the professional driving instructor.
- If the outcome of the office based test is an indication that the client is not fit to drive, and that rehabilitation / vehicle adaptations are needed, this will first be addressed before a re-assessment will take place.
- If the outcome of the office based test indicates that the client is not fit to drive and that driving should be discontinued, feedback is given to the client and alternative ways of transport is discussed with the client and family.
Phase 2 – On-Road Assessment
Phase two consists of an on-road assessment (day 2), under the supervision of a professional driving instructor.
The outcome of the FTD assessment is to optimized a person’s chances to continue driving and maintain his independence in terms of transport.
THE PURPOSE
The purpose of the assessment has two elements:
- Comment on the client’s fitness to continue (or start) driving, with or without compensations/ car or other adaptations.
- Feedback session with a report, in order to advice on the ways of compensating for impairments and disabilities with regard to driving.
REHABILITATION
- Office based assessment provide us with feedback on possible challenges and limitations that may affect an individual’s fitness to drive.
- The rehabilitation plan is set up with the client by the therapist.
- FunctionWise ensures optimal rehabilitation outcome, as we closely work together with other medical professions (such as specialized optometrists and low vision specialists), use soft-ware programs to ensure daily exercises as part of a home program. A multi-disciplinary approach is followed.
- For car adaptations, the therapist will arrange an appointment with a company that install vehicle conversion systems / car adaptations.
- After installation of car adaptations, the client is referred for driving lessons at a driving instructor before the driver get back on the road.
OUR PARTNERS
THE OUTCOME
The outcome of the assessment provides the person with a disability, their medical advisors / treating doctors with advice on the driving future.
CONTACT US TODAY
& BOOK YOUR ASSESSMENT!
If you are concern on your fitness to drive or suffers from a medical condition / injury that may affect your fitness to drive – be wise and book you assessment today!