Marianjoy to Offer AARP Driver Safety Class for Older Drivers

WHEATON, Ill., July 25 -- Marianjoy Rehabilitation Hospital will offer the American Association of Retired Persons’ (AARP) Driver Safety Class on Sept. 27 and 28, 2005.

The eight-hour refresher course has been designed by AARP to help older drivers adjust their driving to age-related changes in vision, hearing and reaction time. Class participants will also explore defensive driving techniques, local driving problems and rules of the road. The highly interactive classes involve video presentations and group discussion.

Volunteer instructors Pam Bartle and Anne Hegberg have extensive experience as driving specialists in Marianjoy’s Drivers Rehabilitation Program, which provides evaluation and education for senior citizens and people with disabilities. Ms. Bartle and Hegberg took AARP’s special training to teach this class.

According to AARP, many seniors have never taken drivers education classes and find the class to be very beneficial. In addition, people who complete the class in Illinois may be eligible to receive a five percent discount on their insurance fees, depending on their insurance provider.

The course, which will be split into two four-hour sessions on Tuesday, Sept. 27 and Wednesday, Sept. 28, from 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., is open to anyone 50 years and older. Attendance at both classes is mandatory to receive a completion certificate. Additional classes will be offered in the future. The fee for the course is $10, made payable to AARP, and should be brought to the first class. Pre-registration is required. Individuals interested in registering for the class or in receiving additional information should call 630-462-4280.

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Marianjoy Rehabilitation Hospital is a 120-bed hospital in Wheaton, Illinois, that is dedicated to the delivery of rehabilitative medicine. Founded in 1972 by the Wheaton Franciscan Sisters, the hospital is part of the Marianjoy network that manages more than 400 beds within the greater Chicago area. Throughout the network, Marianjoy provides comprehensive inpatient and outpatient rehabilitation services, including programs that assist patients with community re-entry, such as driver rehabilitation and return-to-work programs. Marianjoy is a member of Wheaton Franciscan Services, Inc., located in Wheaton, Illinois. Sponsored by the Wheaton Franciscan Sisters, Wheaton Franciscan Services, Inc. owns and operates more than 100 health and shelter service organizations in Colorado, Illinois, Iowa and Wisconsin.

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Char Mufich

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Marianjoy Rehabilitation Hospital

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