Improving Your Flexibility

Flexibility, especially of the head and neck, is an important driving quality that enables you to turn your head in order to check blind spots, change lanes safely and effectively merge into traffic.

Suggestions for improving mild flexibility impairment are:

• With your physicians approval and guidance, try some stretching exercises; you may also benefit from fitness programs for older adults at local YMCA’s or senior friendship centers
• Try to choose a car with automatic transmission, power steering and brakes, and limited blind spots
• Research adaptive equipment that may ease the task of driving (for more information contact your local car dealership)
• Avoid uncomfortable driving situations (i.e. routes that require frequent land changes)
• Follow-up with your primary care physician or an occupational therapist to decide on a course of action to keep you driving safely; ask if you may benefit from therapy or rehabilitation that may possibly reverse or slow your loss of flexibility
• You may also want to explore alternate transportation services in your community or ask a friend or family member if they would be willing to drive you in the event that you are no longer comfortable (it is always better to be prepared!)