Older drivers may experience health setbacks that impact their ability to drive. These setbacks may be temporary or can be more permanent. When you add in other concerns, such as loss of peripheral or indirect vision and cognitive or mental delay, the ability to continue driving becomes much more complicated. Another concern is mental decline. Long-term studies suggest that 15-20% of those over age 65 may have mild mental impairment. The fact that mental decline is gradual, unpredictable and individual creates the most challenging situation.

A certified driver rehabilitation specialist can find parts of the brain that are affected by mental decline and can complicate safe driving. How is this possible? There are tests that determine the speed to which the brain processes, as well as how the brain alternates and divides attention.

Although these tests do not decide driving skill, they supply glimpses into the brain that are suppressed when challenged using the mental ability related to driving. These findings coupled with a behind the wheel test supply the most complete assessment of a person’s driving competency. In the mildest cases, recommendations for computer generated brain games and brain challenging puzzles can help in sharpening the brain’s speed of responsiveness.

Certain health conditions may require added equipment to keep driving privileges within the Nevada State DMV laws. Can’t use your right foot due to amputation or nerve loss? Don't feel comfortable that your foot can find the brake pedal in time? Has a stroke affected your visual field to either the right or left? Is using secondary controls such as the turn signal out of reach? You should consider optional equipment supplied by automotive installers and the available training to master other ways to overcome these matters. Often, physical limitations can be replaced with attachments to an existing vehicle, while still allowing others to use the car in the traditional fashion. While we await an affordable self-driving vehicle, these changes can extend the safe driving capability for years.

Although the road ahead can be filled with speed bumps due to health, driving privileges can be preserved. When concerned, drivers, family members and health care providers should reach out to a certified driver rehabilitation specialist.

Ingredients

• 4 large bananas
• 2 cups mixed fresh berries
• Non-stick cooking spray
• 5 tablespoons whole wheat flour, divided
• 1 cup old-fashioned rolled oats
• ¼ cup light brown sugar, packed
• 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• Pinch of salt
• 4 tablespoons cold unsalted butter
• ⅔ cup nonfat plain yogurt
• 1 tablespoon honey

Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 400°F.
2. Peel and slice bananas in half lengthwise.
3. Rinse berries and pat dry.
4. Spray baking dish with non-stick cooking spray. Place the banana halves flat side down in the baking dish.
5. Toss berries with 1 tablespoon flour. Sprinkle berries over the bananas.
6. In a medium bowl, add 4 tablespoons flour, oats, sugar and spices. Stir to blend.
7. Cut cold butter into little pieces. Add to bowl. Using your fingers, quickly blend the butter into the dry ingredients until the mixture is crumbly.
8. Spread the crumbly mixture over the fruit in an even layer. Press down slightly.
9. Bake about 10–15 minutes, or until the crumble is firm and golden in color.
10. While crumble bakes, stir together yogurt and honey in a small bowl to create a lighter version of whipped cream.
11. When crumble is done, spoon 1 tablespoon of the yogurt and honey topping over each serving.

🍌🍌TIP 🍌🍌

Keep your bananas in a cool, dry place. To keep them from getting overripe, bananas can
be stored in the refrigerator.