Keeping Us Safe is pleased to announce release of a simple new tool to help older drivers transition into a smooth driving retirement. This new aid comes in the form of a formatted letter titled “Invitation to Help”. The form is available as a free download through the Keeping Us Safe website.
Keeping Us Safe is a national organization that provides services to older drivers and their families. Matt Gurwell, Founder & CEO of Keeping Us Safe explains “The letter was developed to provide retiring drivers with yet another tool to help them make a smooth transition from the driver’s seat to the passenger seat”.
The letter is designed to be sent by the older driver to his/her family and friends announcing the decision to give up driving, and asking that the letter recipient consider providing transportation assistance on an as-needed basis. “The purpose of the “Invitation to Help” letter is to provide yet another proactive tool to the retiring driver to help maintain his dignity and independence” explained Gurwell.
Gurwell adds that the idea for the letter came to light during a discussion at one of Keeping Us Safe’s “Beyond Driving with Dignity” Professional Certification classes. “Our certification classes are full of spirited and educated professionals that posses a sincere, dedicated passion in helping older drivers and their families work through this very delicate and sensitive issue”, Gurwell explained.
“The Invitation to Help letter is not meant to be the answer to a retiring driver’s transportation issues, just another tool” Gurwell concluded.
The letter is available as a free download through the Keeping Us Safe website.
Matt Gurwell is the developer of the nationally-recognized “Beyond Driving with Dignity” program. He currently lectures throughout the United States on topics related to the aging process and its adverse affects on driving skills. As developer of this life-saving program, Matt’s mission is to provide strategies and guidance to seniors that will help them to continue driving safely until the decision is made to retire from their driving career. The “Beyond Driving with Dignity” program also provides an excellent array of services and resources for both families and professionals as they deal with this very sensitive issue. Matt retired from a very distinguished and successful 24-year career as an Assistant District Commander with the Ohio State Highway Patrol. After leaving the Patrol, Matt has participated in a tremendous amount of work in the area of older driver research, best practices, current vehicle safety technologies, and adaptive equipment. Matt's creative, innovative and common sense approach, combined with his uncanny ability to bring calm and resolve to stressful situations without ever jeopardizing the dignity of others, has contributed greatly to the success of the “Beyond Driving with Dignity” program. When asked what the ultimate motivation was for starting the program, Matt explains: "There was never one particular event. It was the result of 20-plus years of holding dying people in my arms at terrible car accidents, and delivering dozens and dozens of death notifications to families. I would much rather work with families to bring a peaceful resolve to this sensitive and uncomfortable issue now, rather than have them deal with it when a State Trooper is knocking on their front door". Matt serves as Senior Care Authority’s Program Director for the “Beyond Driving with Dignity” program. Senior Care Authority (https://www.seniorcareauthority.com) is now the nation’s exclusive provider of the “Beyond Driving with Dignity” program.
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