How do I help Turn my Parent’s PA License in for an ID Card?

Two driver's license ID cards.

How to Exchange a Driver’s License for an ID Card Driving retirement is tough! Add in trying to figure out how to turn a license in for an identification card can leave you confused, frustrated and overwhelmed. frustrations at the DMV can just make the whole process worse. If it is time to help mom…

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Adaptive Mobility Invited to Speak to Physicians

Susie Touchinsky sitting in a car.

Adaptive Mobility Invited to Speak to Physicians Friday, January 17, 2020 Adaptive Mobility Services is invited to present to the physician group of UPMC! The presentation will be held on Friday, January 17, 2020. The presentation, titled, Driver Assessment, will explore occupational therapy’s specialty role with driver rehabilitation. We are excited to partner with Genesis…

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How to Become a Driver Rehab Specialist

Susie Touchinsky and a group of four driver rehab specialists smiling while holding certificates outside.

A Step by Step Guide to Becoming a Driver Rehabilitation Specialist Driving is one of the most valued instrumental activities of daily living. Clients tell me that it is only once they return to driving that they feel like a whole person again. As an OT driver rehabilitation specialist, I get to help clients regain…

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Is Your OT License Up for Renewal?

Susie standing with two other women. They are all smiling in front of a car.

Is It Time to Renew Your OT License? It’s that time of year again! April brings lots of mail including notices to renew your OT license! If you are like me, each time you renew, you have to become reacquainted with the process. How do I renew? How many continuing education requirements do I need?…

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Adaptive Driving Equipment for the Win!

A vehicle with adaptive acceleration equipment.

Congratulations! Please join me on congratulation Dave! Almost two years ago, to this date, he lost his second leg. It has been a long road to recovery, but today he passed his adaptive drivers test with FLYING COLORS!   This Veteran is now back on the road with the help of driving rehab training to…

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Chocolates & Driving

A young man driving a car.

Valentine’s Day 2019 When your client wants to surprise his valentine and needs a little help, you say yes! #lifeslikeaboxofchocolates I love that during our Driver Rehab training session my client asked me for a small favor so he could surprise his wife! He asked if we could stop at his favorite chocolate shop to…

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Adaptive Mobility’s Legacy

OUR HISTORY Susan Pierce Adaptive Mobility Services, Inc. was founded by Susan Pierce in 1990. After working as an occupational therapy driver rehabilitation therapist for a decade, and developing three driving programs, Pierce was encouraged by her father, Brooke Pierce, to follow her passion and start a community-based private practice in Florida.Over the years, Susan…

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What is Your Mobility Plan? 

What is Your Mobility Plan?  One of the reasons talking about driving retirement, or ‘giving up the keys’ is so difficult, is because, for most of us, this is a ‘new’ conversation.   Think about it… Before now, before the past few decades, our parents & grandparents pretty much drove until their last days. Most of…

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Are You an OT with Questions About Driving?

My client wants to drive, what do I do now? Driving is quickly becoming one of the biggest goals for our clients. In many ways, it is the ultimate instrumental activity of daily living and most complex. If a client can drive, it opens doors for living independently and engaging in the community freely. Not…

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Could Hand Controls Help You?

Are you experiencing tingling in your feet? Tingling or numbness in your feet could be a sign of sensation loss. Sensation changes in our feet can happen for lots of different reasons. From diabetes to neuropathy to spinal cord injuries, sensation loss in your feet can impact safe driving. We rely on sensation while driving…

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Positive Driving Conversations

Celebrate Older Driver Safety Awareness Week 2018 with positive conversations about driving! Conversations about driving do not and should not always be about ‘taking the keys away,’ but rather should be about choices for the future. Here are some tips: Start conversations about driving retirement early! We will all outlive our ability to drive, so…

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Familys & Caregivers: Worried about Mom’s Driving?

  Are you worried about Mom’s driving? Yesterday, a loving adult daughter called me. Over the holiday weekend, she enjoyed lots of time with her parents and siblings. She said it was so wonderful, but she walked away with some concerns about her mom’s health. The daughter told me that her mom was diagnosed with…

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Drivers: I will Advocate for You

If you want to drive, and you have the skills and determination, I will be an advocate for you! Even if it means spending hours at the Department of Motor Vehicle Transportation so you can obtain your updated driver’s license! I will advocate for you!   Six months ago, I stepped complete out of my…

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Drivers: 4 Safety Tips to Keep You Safe this Autumn

Autumn is here! As you head out to enjoy that fall foliage, here are 4 tips to keep you safe this season: Give your vehicle a checkup Time to give your car a little extra tender loving care. Clean your windows & head lights for improved visibility. Check your tire pressure (tires lose pressure as…

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OT Strategies: Documenting & Billing Driving In Generalist Practice

Question: How do you bill and document pre-driving interventions? Here’s my response on documentation & a few thoughts on billing as well: Documentation If we are truly viewing clients through a holistic lens, we should consistently address driving and community mobility as an integral component of an occupational therapy plan of care and include evidence…

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Halloween Safety Tips: Safe Trick or Treating in Your Community

As you head out to enjoy Halloween this evening, here are a few safety tips to help keep you and your little trick or treaters safe while navigating your communities! Have a Plan – Plan out your safe trick or treat route before you go and let your ghosts & goblins know what to do…

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OT Strategies: Can my client with dementia drive?

Question: Can my client with dementia drive? When should I consider a driving evaluation for my client with dementia and when should I be talking about driving retirement? Dementia is a tough disease. It changes as it progresses. Understanding a client’s stage of dementia can be helpful for understanding how to intervene. I like to…

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