EAST OHIO REGIONAL HOSPITAL TO OFFER SENIOR DRIVING PROGRAM
04/11/07

Contact: Howard Gamble, MPH
Title: Marketing & Public Relations
Phone: (304)234-8135

East Ohio Regional Hospital along with the American Association of Retired Persons (AARP) will offer a Senior Driving Safety Program May 4-5, 2007. AARP developed the eight hour classroom refresher course to help drivers 50 years of age or older improve their skills and prevent traffic accidents.
The first session of the course will be from 9:00am to 1:00pm on Friday, May 4th. The second session will be from 9:00am to 1:00pm on Saturday, May 5th. Both sessions will be held in the lower level conference room at East Ohio Regional Hospital and attendance at both sessions is mandatory in order to receive certification. The 55 Alive Certification is good for 3 years. If you are unable to attend this course, additional sessions will be held throughout 2007 at Ohio Valley Medical Center and East Ohio Regional Hospital.

The 55 Alive Drivers Safety Program is designed to meet the specific needs of older drivers. It covers age-related physical changes, declining perceptual skills, rules of the road, local driving problems and license renewal requirements. Volunteer instructors recruited by AARP conduct the course, which is presented through a combination of slide presentations and group discussion. Graduates of EORH’s 55 Alive course may be eligible to receive a state-mandated multiyear discount on auto insurance premiums. Voluntary discounts are offered in selected states. 55 Alive is an approved course in every state. Individuals should contact their insurance company to see if the company provides premium deductions for the course.

The cost of the course is $10 payable the first day of class. Class size is limited to 30 people and pre-registration is required. Parking for the course will be at St. John’s Church in Martins Ferry. For more information or to register for the course, call AARP’s course instructor, Roberta Crocker at (740) 633-0125 or call the OPALs Office at (304) 234-8642.

East Ohio Regional Hospital, located in Martins Ferry Ohio and Ohio Valley Medical Center, located in Wheeling West Virginia, is a 340 bed combined organization providing quality primary and tertiary healthcare to the Ohio Valley. Ohio Valley Health Services and Education Corporation is the integrated health care delivery system comprising of the two hospitals, River Health Enterprises and Family Service-Upper Ohio Valley.