CarFreeMe™ is a research study. The goal is to help people with memory loss plan for and adjust to driving retirement. People with memory loss or their family members can join. CarFreeMe™ offers about 6-8 personalized coaching sessions on driving retirement by video or phone and focuses on well-being and staying active in the community. Coaches talk about dementia, driver safety, lifestyle planning, coping methods, and other ways of getting around.
CarFreeMe™ gives families a safe space to discuss driving retirement. Coaches offer education and support for making decisions around driving retirement. Researchers are looking at how to further refine CarFreeMe™ for drivers in the United States.
CarFreeMe™ is a program from the University of Queensland
We have completed Phase II of our study. If you would like to be contacted to participate in a CarFreeMe™ study in the future, please complete the permission to contact form below.
Contact
Interested in participating in the future or have questions?
In the meantime, we recommend that you take a look at the driving resources by the Hartford and AAA.
The Hartford’s materials for retiring drivers and their families:
AAA information, including a self-assessment of driving ability:
This study was looking for:
- People with memory loss who were planning for or adjusting to driving retirement
- AND/OR or their family members
- Did not live in a nursing home
Participants:
- Took a survey that lasted about 30 minutes.
- Worked with a trained CarFreeMe™ coach in weekly sessions. Sessions typically lasted about 1 hour.
- Took another survey at 3 and 6 months (20 minutes each).
Some were asked to participate in an interview after the 6-month survey to get feedback about the CarFreeMe™ program.
Participation lasted for 6 months (voluntary) and withdrawal at any time was allowed.
No! The coaching sessions were delivered by secure video conference or over the phone and the surveys were mailed or emailed.
Participants were given $25 per survey as a thank you. If they completed an interview at the end of the study they were given $25 as well. In total, each participant who completed all 3 surveys received $75. Those who also completed the phone interview at the end of the 6-month study received $100.
Participants also received 6-8 personalized coaching sessions on driving retirement.
