Today we’d like to introduce you to Judy McGowan Romano.
Judy, please share your story with us. How did you get to where you are today?
I am a Rhode Islander who graduated from Boston University with an MS degree in Occupational Therapy. My career has been in Boston hospital and rehabilitation settings for thirty years. My Occupational Therapy customers are adults who have had their lives interrupted by illness, injury, disease or medical conditions that affect their ability to perform activities of daily living. My career interests became focused on the activity of driving since driving enables participation in many other lifestyle areas. There was a knowledge gap about the medical issues that affect driving. The field of Occupational Therapy was becoming the go-to medical profession about driving and medical issues. This specialty area of Occupational Therapy interested me greatly and I undertook extensive advanced training in driver evaluation and driver rehabilitation. I belong to the American Occupational Therapy Association and the Association for Driver Rehabilitation Specialists. Both are professional groups that provide numerous and ongoing continuing education opportunities for my development as an Occupational Therapy driver evaluation specialist. A unique practice area within Driving Solutions is working with religious communities in the Boston area. The indicators for driver evaluation with religious community members are generally addressed with a colleague or superior of their community rather than with a family member. Lifestyle, values and daily challenges are different from those of drivers living in family settings. Every driver I work with has a unique situation that deserves a careful and professional assessment. I love what I do!
Overall, has it been relatively smooth? If not, what were some of the struggles along the way?
One of the major struggles with this specialty practice area is addressing the social and emotional aspects of driving cessation. Those who seek my services are usually not the driver themselves unless the Registry of Motor Vehicles is involved. The majority of clients who seek my services are family members or medical professionals who are concerned about someone’s safety on the road. They can utilize the Driving Solutions at home driver evaluation process to get an objective and compassionate assessment of the underlying skills that are required for safe driving.
Unfortunately, when safety becomes a concern there are other activities of daily living that are also possibly risky. Research in the field of Occupational Therapy demonstrates that there are four areas which are highly risky for adults with cognitive issues. Using a stove, managing a complex medication routine, managing financial matters and driving are four areas that may be dangerous for someone with cognitive, physical and vision deficits. If you have trouble driving a stove then you probably shouldn’t be driving a car!
Driving cessation is an emotionally charged area of lifestyle change that clients may face. If a driver has dementia they generally lack insight into the risks associated with driving, relying instead on their many years of driving experience to validate their ability. In the Boston area we have numerous alternative transportation resources but many drivers feel overwhelmed with the complexities of those and require others to help them transition out of the drivers’ seat, if necessary.
Driving Solutions – what should we know? What do you guys do best? What sets you apart from the competition?
In 2004, I launched Driving Solutions, LLC. The program model is different from local hospital based programs. What’s different about Driving Solutions is that we come to you. The Occupational Therapy driver evaluation occurs in the privacy of the drivers’ own home with a family member or friend present. I work with the driver and their family members to address an often misunderstood, difficult and divisive family issue. The at home evaluation addresses driving history, medical history, physical aspects of vehicle management and visual aspects of the driving task. We especially focus on cognition including thinking, memory and attention factors that contribute to driving competence. The evaluation is primarily low tech. The evaluation process is based on best practices and research into the area of driver safety. Occupational Therapists are trained to understand medical issues and their impact on daily life tasks. We help you make the right decision about driving safety.
Driving Solutions is expanding the scope of services to address the driving challenges of teens. Many teens have driving challenges related to learning issues. This is an underserved area of driving assessment and training that is currently being developed with the addition of a specially trained colleague in the Driving Solutions practice.
What is “success” or “successful” for you?
Success occurs when comprehensive evaluation has been completed. The driver and their family member understand the results. They have received personalized feedback about factors that contribute to safety as a driver. We have discussed the testing outcomes. Specific recommendations have been made. The evaluation is not complete until we have processed the emotional issues relative to the situation. Sometimes a recommendation is made to have further testing on the road or driving lessons. In some cases adaptive equipment is recommended especially if the driver has weakness in their legs. There are many possible recommendations based on the unique situation of the driver and their personal profile. We have spent as much time as necessary to come to an agreement. Together we have successfully developed a plan regarding what to do next about driving.
Pricing:
- Free phone or online consultation is offered.
- The current cost for a 2 hour at home evaluation is $325. It includes a formal written report to the driver and their MD.
- Discount pricing is available to religious groups.
Contact Info:
- Address: Judy M. Romano, MS, OTR/L
Occupational Therapist
Driver Evaluation Specialist - Website: www.drivingsolutionsforyou.com
- Phone: 508 878 9583
- Email: drivingsolutionsjudy@gmail.com
- Facebook: Driving Solutions, LLC
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