About Beyond Driving with Dignity

The “Beyond Driving with Dignity” program was created in 2008 by Matt Gurwell, a retired Ohio State Trooper. Matt’s passion has been to continue reducing preventable traffic crashes involving older drivers that may have a diminishment in cognitive and/or physical driving abilities. The program provides practical, real-life solutions to older drivers and their concerned families. The “Beyond Driving with Dignity” program is designed to save lives while simultaneously helping to ease the burden of the family as they find themselves faced with this very challenging issue.

Beyond Driving with Dignity: A Facilitated Self Assessment Program for Older Drivers

​

This program has been designed to serve as a vital tool to facilitate older drivers (and their families) as they make appropriate decisions regarding the future of one’s safe driving career.  If the individual is a safe driver, we provide him or her with strategies on how to remain a safe driver as they progress through the aging process.  If driving retirement is the appropriate decision, then we offer the individual (and their family) possible alternatives, resources, and a specific plan to ensure a smooth and successful transition from the driver’s seat to the passenger seat.  

Take the Self-Assessment Quiz

If you answer “Yes” to any of these questions, please reach out.

1. Do you live away from your loved-one and aren't completely sure of his or her ability to continue driving safely?

2. Could you use some help and direction plotting the future of your loved one's safe driving career?

3. Are you unsure of how to address the issue with your loved one, or confused about how to initiate "the talk"?

4. Not sure what resources are available to you?

5. Do you want a skilled and experienced professional to help bring or maintain calm and stability to what can be a very complex and sensitive family issue?

6. Are you looking for a program that will help further your loved one's ability to remain a safe driver, and to continue to monitor their skills as they progress through the aging process?

Our Purpose

Our self-assessment program provides families with the missing link between their desire to bring this issue to a peaceful resolution, and their ability to actually do so.  We make this happen by providing:

​

PEACE of MIND — Timely relief to families in need as they face the challenging issue of a loved one's diminishing driving skills as a result of the natural aging process

​

HELP & SUPPORT — Assistance and support to older drivers as they face the emotional issue of a driving retirement

​

EDUCATION — Programs for professionals as they find themselves confronted with this issue in a professional setting

OUR PROGRAMS

​

For the Public

​

Signature Facilitated Self-Assessment Sessions

​

• The session is conducted at the comfort of the older driver's kitchen table

• Work one-on-one with a Beyond Driving With Dignity advisor

• Learning conversation, cognitive and other evaluations

• “pencil and paper”, no electronics involved in session

​

A Safe Drive Through the Aging Process

​

WHO IS THIS FOR?

• Older adult drivers
   

HOW LONG IS IT?

• One hour
   

PURPOSE

• To assist older drivers in understanding their possible increased risk of a traffic accident
   

HIGHLIGHTS

• Compassionate, sensitive yet realistic and direct approach to how the aging process may affect senior drivers

• Increase awareness of possibility of diminished driving skills

• Enhanced self assessment of potential danger of reduced capacity for driving safely

​

For Professionals

​

Bringing a Peaceful Resolve to Complex & Sensitive Senior Driving Issues

​

This program will provide you with the ability to identify areas of concern involving older drivers, and will assist in the development of attainable lifestyle changes for the older driver to help keep him or her safe. You will be presented with early intervention tools that will assist you in identifying signs of decline in the senior driver as well as methods to intercede. You will also receive direction as concerned family members, all with mini to do this with minimal impact to the individual’s self-worth and personal independence.

​

Driving Under the Influence of Dementia

This 1-hour Continuing Education presentation focuses on the role dementia, memory and executive functioning play on older driver safety. The presentation is supported by current-day, real-life examples as well as academic studies that confirm the correlation between cognitive decline and older driver safety.

Adults with Aging Parent Drivers

​

WHO IS THIS FOR?

• Family members, caregivers, and loved ones of senior drivers.
   

HOW LONG IS IT?

• One hour
   

PURPOSE

• To help Baby Boomers (and younger generations) when they become concerned about a loved one’s ability to drive safely as a result of the natural aging process
   

HIGHLIGHTS

• Compassionate, sensitive yet realistic and direct approach to how the aging process may affect senior drivers

• Tools to provide a roadmap to assist families in addressing this issue through tact, compassion and empathy

• Preserve the older driver’s dignity and independence as much as possible 

​

​

Our Mission

The “Beyond Driving with Dignity” program is dedicated to improving the mortality rate of older drivers and drivers with certain disabilities. We accomplish this through our dedicated franchise owners, who work one-on-one with the older driver, and deliver proprietary educational programs to older drivers, their families, geriatric professionals, and the general public. Our owners further enhance our service to others by forming meaningful and beneficial partnerships with members of the medical, geriatric, criminal justice and highway safety communities