Mobility Counseling: Principles and Core Components

Drs. Tom Meuser and Marla Berg-Weger discuss their recent, NCST funded research on readiness for driving transitions, including the principles and core components of mobility counseling, in a free audio conference. Dr. Berg-Weger, co-chair of the Gerontological Society of America’s Transportation and Aging Interest Group summarizes, “Mobility counseling is a new and growing area as persons living into their eighth and ninth decades of life will likely need to retire from driving and find alternative means of remaining mobile. A person-centered approach to mobility counseling that integrates meanings and emotions is an important first step.”

This conference will also introduce the Assessment of Readiness for Mobility Transition tool developed to assist practitioners working with older adults who can no longer drive a vehicle safely. Through the use of this tool, a mobility counselor can develop a shared understanding of what is occurring and finds ways to intervene to promote effective planning for the future and possible transitions. The ARMT tool is designed to support this process by raising key concerns about mobility (i.e., those expressed by other adults of various ages and levels of functional ability) and by placing those concerns on the table for active discussion and planning. Responses will help inform mobility counselors as to what approaches and messages would be more likely to resonate with individuals.

Moderators

• Lucinda Shannon, National Center on Senior Transportation

Presenters

• Dr. Tom Meuser, PhD, University of Missouri
• Marla Berg-Weger, PhD, LCSW, Saint Louis University

Join us for this free audio conference! Please register by clicking on the button labeled "Sign Me Up"

Dial-in instructions will be in your registration confirmation email.

If you'd like to attend this event you must RSVP online by Wednesday February 23.
Learn more about the Assessment of Readiness for Mobility Transition project.

If you have comments or questions please contact Lucinda Shannon at lshannon@easterseals.com.

Note: The time listed is Eastern Time.
Date: Wednesday, March 2, 2011
Time: 1:00 PM - 2:30 PM

If you'd like to attend this event you can RSVP online.

Once you have reservations, you can still click Sign Me Up to increase or decrease the number of people in your party (subject to availability).

National Center on Senior Transportation:

Resources and Tools for Older Driver Safety and Transitioning

On April 11, Essie Wagner, older driver program analyst for the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration; Jacob Nelson, director of traffic safety policy & research at AAA; and Lisa Tucker, project coordinator/training & technical assistance specialist at NCST, joined together to present on Resources and Tools for Older Driver Safety and Transitioning. An MP3 podcast, transcript, and copy of the presentation are available at the NCST site. The presentation took place at the Lifesavers National Conference on Highway Safety Priorities, and it identifies new tools aimed at older drivers, their families, and health and medical professionals; a discussion of the effectiveness of the tools; and strategies for their use with older drivers.

Listen

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• Identifying Older Drivers at Risk of Crashes (nlm.nih.gov)

Transportation: The Silent Need

Transportation: The Silent Need provides the results of a survey of the nationwide network of Area Agencies on Aging (AAAs) and reflects their knowledge and opinions about senior transportation.

The survey of Area Agencies on Aging was undertaken by the National Center on Senior Transportation (NCST) as a first step in our efforts to identify the extent to which the Aging Network, including AAAs, Title VI Aging Services Programs, State Units on Aging, and Aging Transportation Services Providers, is involved in the delivery, administration and coordination of transportation services for senior citizens.

Summary The survey’s particular focus from the AAAs’ viewpoint should be considered when interpreting the survey results; nevertheless, we believe the report is useful and will enhance understanding of senior transportation. AAAs’ perspectives and knowledge of transportation are informed by their work on behalf of older people. A total of 367 Area Agencies, 58.3% of AAAs nationwide, responded to the survey. As the survey indicates, AAAs play a variety of roles in senior transportation - advocating, planning, administering, coordinating and providing services.

Of particular note are the following survey findings:
More

United We Ride National Dialogue Report

Another important report is that of the United We Ride National Dialogue, which attracted the participation of more than 3,500 stakeholders from all 50 U.S. states and the District of Columbia last November. Easter Seals Project ACTION and the National Academy of Public Administration hosted the initiative on behalf of the Federal Interagency Coordinating Council on Access and Mobility (CCAM). An Independent Panel of Fellows of the National Academy of Public Administration conducted a review and analysis of the content and identified emerging themes and key recommendations for the CCAM, which will use the outcomes to develop their new strategic plan and future policy direction.
Read More/Download Report

Recommended reading: Guide to a Successful Volunteer Driver Program

NCST’s Jed Johnson and CTAA’s Jane Hardin recently participated in a panel presentation of the American Assn. of Homes and Services for the Aging conference along with Hank Braaksma of the Seniors’ Resource Center, who highlighted a valuable resource titled “Guide to a Successful Volunteer Driver Program." The document was funded through a project with the Rose Foundation, Denver, Colo.

Download Guide

Complete Streets - Host a Workshop

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Bring a Complete Streets Workshop to your community!

Effective complete streets policies help communities routinely create safe and inviting road networks for everyone, including bicyclists, drivers, transit operators and users, and pedestrians of all ages and abilities. The National Complete Streets Coalition has created a workshop series to respond to state and local agencies’ need to learn how to balance the needs of all users, and develop and implement effective policies.

The full-day, highly interactive workshops are customized to help approximately 30 key decision makers, stakeholders, and agency professionals learn how to more effectively balance the needs of all users and routinely create and maintain complete streets. Two nationally-known complete streets design and policy experts who help participants learn:

* Why complete streets are important, what they are – and are not;
* The many avenues to complete streets;
* How complete streets can help achieve multiple transportation, health, and community goals.

These workshops take participants far beyond the typical session focused on design specifics, to an understanding of how to transform the decision-making process itself. The coalition offers three types of hands-on workshops tailored to each client’s jurisdiction or state.

Laying the Foundation for Complete Streets
Key stakeholders will:

* Build a common understanding of complete streets;
* Consider several types of successful complete streets policies;
* Compare how complete streets designs use existing right-of-way; and
* Apply complete streets tools to local examples.

Complete Streets Policy Development
In a collaborative process, participants will:

* Contrast the nine elements of effective complete streets policies with existing policies and internal procedures;
* Identify area complete streets goals and performance measures; and
* Create draft language for a customized complete streets policy.

Complete Streets Policy Implementation
Through hands-on exercises, participants will:

* Assess existing complete streets policy and decision-making process outcomes;
* Identify ways to strengthen polices and the four steps to more effectively implement them; and
* Demonstrate a six-step decision-making process to routinely include and balance the needs of all users.

DOWNLOAD: Complete Streets Workshops flyer (.pdf)

For further information or to schedule a workshop or series of workshops, please contact Linda Tracy at linda@apbp.org

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• Complete Streets Are Great Streets With Room for All (wired.com)

National Center on Senior Transportation 2010 Audio Conferences

Add these free audio conference events to your new 2010 calendar

* Jan. 20, 2 p.m. EST: “Promising Practices and Solutions in Accessible Transportation: The Ins and Outs of Transportation Voucher Programs.” The NCST will partner with Easter Seals Project ACTION in hosting this discussion by Dr. Tom Seekins of the University of Montana Rural Institute and Ken Hoff of Wyoming Independent Living Rehabilitation about voucher programs.

* Jan. 27, 2 p.m. EST: “Innovations in Senior Transportation.” Join us for a discussion of NCST’s premier group of Senior Transportation Demonstration Grantees who have completed their work on coordination, technology, older driver safety, transportation for socialization, and volunteer program models.

Senior Transportation Today

The paper addresses the need to increase public knowledge about transportation options for older people; aspects of coordination, cooperation and integration; volunteer programs; financing approaches; and using technology to improve services. Promising practices are also described. The document was developed with aging and transportation professionals in mind, and includes both annotated citations and a resource list. Read/Download White Paper

National Center on Senior Transportation: Complete Streets Webinar

Free Webinar
Wednesday, November 4, 2009
1-2 p.m. Eastern Time

Please register for this event before Wednesday October 28.

Description

During this webinar we will review the Planning Complete Streets for an Aging America report published by AARP in May 2009. Jana Lynott and Lucinda Shannon will discuss what local transportation and human service providers can do to encourage Complete Street design and effect changes to increase mobility for older adults in their community.

America needs streets designed to be safe and convenient for travel by automobile, foot, bicycle and transit regardless of age or ability. Jana Lynott, strategic policy advisor in the areas of transportation and livable communities at the AARP Public Policy Institute conducted a study resulting in Complete Streets policy recommendations for planners and legislators. The report, Planning Complete Streets for an Aging America offers planning and engineering practices for older driver and pedestrian mobility and also best practices in making streets work for older travelers.
Read More/Supplemental Materials

Audio Conference: "Evaluation 101: How Can We Demonstrate Program Results?"

Save the Date! On Dec. 9 the National Center on Senior Transportation will host a live audio conference about program evaluation for human service transportation programs. This call targets project and program managers who want to measure and improve performance across a variety of older adult transportation options. Whether you provide travel training support for older adults or are operating a volunteer-based service, this audio conference is for you! Our two guest speakers from Westat, a Rockville, Md. based research corporation, Jon E. Burkhardt, senior study director, and Dr. David J. Bernstein, senior study director/senior evaluation specialist, have extensive expertise in older adult transportation. Westat is nationally recognized for its transportation research capabilities. Visit the Westat Web site for more information on their transportation research projects. Please register for this event by Dec. 3.

Evaluation 101: How Can We Demonstrate (Transportation) Program Results?

Save the Date! On Dec. 9 the NCST will host a live audio conference with two guest speakers from Westat, a Rockville, Md. based research corporation. Jon E. Burkhardt, senior study director, and Dr. David J. Bernstein, senior study director/senior evaluation specialist, have extensive expertise in older adult transportation and will present Evaluation 101 for Senior Transportation.

This call targets project and program managers who want to measure and improve performance across a variety of older adult transportation options. Whether you provide travel training support for older adults or are operating a volunteer-based service, this audio conference is for you! Westat is nationally recognized for its transportation research capabilities. Please visit the Westat Web site for more information on their transportation research projects.

Please register for this event by Dec. 3.

Web Seminar Focuses on Creating Transportation Options for Older Adults

The National Center on Senior Transportation and the American Society on Aging developed "Mobility Equals Independence," a special pair of free one-hour Web seminars. These seminars will help providers, planners and elder advocates throughout the country gain insight into transportation issues facing older adults and assist them as they create a vision for change.

This hour long Web seminar, recorded in Fall 2008, opens with an overview of mobility issues facing older adults and the role that coordinated transportation plays in providing a range of transportation options by Mary A. Leary, senior director of Easter Seals Project ACTION, the National Center on Senior Transportation, and other Transportation Initiatives. The Honorable Josefina G. Carbonell, longest serving Assistant Secretary of Aging and over 30-year leader in community-based long term care services, and the Honorable James S. Simpson, who has served as Administrator of the Federal Transit Administration, Commissioner of the New York State Metropolitan Transit Authority, and who has a long history of supporting entrepreneurship and innovation in public service, are featured speakers.

They discuss current federal government initiatives aimed at meeting the growing need for older adult transportation while advancing better coordination for more effective service. Their remarks are followed by comments from Sandy Markwood, chief executive officer of the National Association of Area Agencies on Aging, who discusses "A Blueprint for Action". Markwood's presentation is based on findings of "The Maturing of America" study, a comprehensive report on communities’ aging readiness. American Public Transportation Association President William Millar wraps up the Web seminar with comments on the challenges and successes transit agencies have experienced as they work to make public transportation attractive, accessible, convenient, affordable, and a pleasant riding experience. Each presenter outlines a call for local actions to enhance senior mobility.

NCST Awards 11 Technical Assistance Grants

The National Center on Senior Transportation is pleased to announce that it secured a small amount of funding to support additional grants to applicants of the demonstration projects. The NCST received more than 300 proposals for the demonstration grants project, and after performing additional analysis on the proposals, selected 11 applicants to receive tailored technical assistance grants of $10,000. The NCST has worked with the selected applicants to revise their work plan and is providing technical assistance through the duration of this 4 month initative. NCST provides free information and referral and technical assistance to services providers who are interested in improving mobility for older adults in their region. Service providers interested in speaking with an NCST specialist can call the toll free number: (866) 528-NCST or send an email to: ncst@easterseals.com.

NCST Names New Director

New Director Named for the National Center on Senior Transportation Easter Seals is delighted to announce that Jed Johnson, a long-time leader in the field of older adult services, is joining the Easter Seals Transportation Training and Technical Assistance Team to lead the National Center on Senior Transportation (NCST). For the past 8 years, Johnson has shepherded Easter Seals rapidly expanding older adult initiatives including the award winning, Transportation Solutions for Caregivers project funded thru the Administration on Aging and Retirement Research Foundation.

n4a Offers Resources on Older Driver Safety

Two publications developed through the n4a Older Driver Safety Project last year and distributed in print form are now available electronically on n4a’s new website. Visit the new n4a site and proceed to Resources and Publications and check out:

1. Older Driver Safety Project—A Community-Based Approach to Promoting Older Driver Safety and
2. Older Driver Safety Project—For Caregivers Who Are Concerned about the Safety of an Older Driver—Help is at Hand.

Questions? Contact Mary Brugger Murphy at n4a, mbruggermurphy@n4a.org. If you would like to receive a hard copy of either booklet by mail, please send Mary a request by e-mail, with your postal address.

State Teams Selected for NHTSA Older Driver Safety Project

The National Center for Senior Transportation (NCST) selected six state teams to participate in the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA)/Federal Transit Administration (FTA) project to establish and implement statewide older driver safety plans. The teams are from:

• Florida,
• Georgia,
• Minnesota,
• Nebraska,
• North Carolina, and
• Tennessee.

The states will each receive $5,000 to assist in plan implementation, and two states will be awarded an additional $6,000 each to further their efforts.

Each team consists of state government agencies and organizations that represent aging; driver licensing; law enforcement; highway safety; public health; and the state’s department of transportation, both roadways and transit. The goal of such a coalition is to produce a comprehensive and unified approach to senior transportation. The teams will gather in Dallas, Texas on September 16 and 17, and each team will work collaboratively to develop an action plan for their state to improve older driver safety and connections with alternative forms of transportation. While much of the meeting time will be spent in plan development, participants will be given the opportunity to dialogue with team members from other states in order to share information and promising practices in improving the transportation mobility of older adults.