Senior Care Authority

Beyond Driving with Dignity

Harold and Kyle Spitzfaden, Local Senior Advisor

SoundView Plaza, 1226 E Main Street, Suite 700 R - Stamford, CT 06902

(203) 450-4479

Schedule A Consultation

The “Beyond Driving with Dignity” program was created in 2008 by Matt Gurwell, a retired Ohio State Trooper. Matt’s passion has been to continue reducing preventable traffic crashes involving older drivers that may have a diminishment in cognitive and/or physical driving abilities. The program provides practical, real-life solutions to older drivers and their concerned families. The “Beyond Driving with Dignity” program is designed to save lives while simultaneously helping to ease the burden of the family as they find themselves faced with this very challenging issue.

Beyond Driving with Dignity: A Facilitated Self Assessment Program for Older Drivers

This program has been designed to serve as a vital tool to facilitate older drivers (and their families) as they make appropriate decisions regarding the future of one’s safe driving career. If the individual is a safe driver, we provide him or her with strategies on how to remain a safe driver as they progress through the aging process. If driving retirement is the appropriate decision, then we offer the individual (and their family) possible alternatives, resources, and a specific plan to ensure a smooth and successful transition from the driver’s seat to the passenger seat.

Schedule a Consultation

Take the Self-Assessment Quiz

If you answer “Yes” to any of these questions, please reach out.

1.Do you live away from your loved-one and aren’t completely sure of his or her ability to continue driving safely?

2. Could you use some help and direction plotting the future of your loved one’s safe driving career?

3. Are you unsure of how to address the issue with your loved one, or confused about how to initiate “the talk”?

4. Not sure what resources are available to you?

5. Do you want a skilled and experienced professional to help bring or maintain calm and stability to what can be a very complex and sensitive family issue?

6. Are you looking for a program that will help further your loved one’s ability to remain a safe driver, and to continue to monitor their skills as they progress through the aging process?

Our Mission

The “Beyond Driving with Dignity” program is dedicated to improving the mortality rate of older drivers and drivers with certain disabilities. We accomplish this through our dedicated franchise owners, who work one-on-one with the older driver, and deliver proprietary educational programs to older drivers, their families, geriatric professionals, and the general public. Our owners further enhance our service to others by forming meaningful and beneficial partnerships with members of the medical, geriatric, criminal justice and highway safety communities.

I got to know Harold when my mother became unable to care for herself after the death of my father. Harold, was a terrific listener as I described her situation. It became very clear to me that Harold was extremely knowledgeable about Adult Living options and was the right person to guide us through this process. He was patient and compassionate and always available whenever we needed him. With Harold’s help, we found the right community for mom and she is extremely happy there. I would highly recommend Harold to anyone needing the kind of help that he specializes in.

- LC

“Harold assisted my brother and I with the grueling task of finding an assisted living location for my mom. He was so caring and understanding of our financial issues and my mom’s struggles of leaving her home that she lived in for over 40 years. He did research to make sure that the assisted living communities not only met our financial needs but also my mom’s needs which even included being able to retain her dog.”

- HK

“Getting your loved ones settled in an assisted living residence can be a trying experience. Having a professional that guided us through the process made all the difference in the world. Harold answered every question that arose and even anticipated our questions and concerns. He was professional and compassionate.”

- SE