Tips for Senior drivers
Here are some tips to keep your skills sharp and information on what to do should you choose to leave the driving to others.
Seniors Groups
- Cowichan Seniors Community Foundation
- Chemainus Seniors Drop In Centre Society
- Young Seniors Action Group
- Elder College
- Ladysmith Seniors Centre Society
- Lake Cowichan Seniors Centre
Road Safety
We broke this area into 4 areas: Vehicles, Pedestrians, Scooters & Cyclists
VEHICLES: BCAA has information to help seniors and their loved ones assess driving skills, learn about changing abilities and if needed, modify driving habits. Knowing the effects aging can have on our driving is a key step to remaining safe on the road. BCAA wants to help you gain the knowledge to stay safe behind the wheel by sharing our Senior Driver Toolkit that contains assessment tools, video tips & expert advice. Get your free Senior Driver Toolkit.
‘Living Well, Driving Well Workshops’ South Cowichan Community Policing offers great information to increase your awareness about the effects of aging on driving. This workshop will provide information and tools to assist you to:
- Adapt to age-related changes
- Review your own driving
- Plan to keep mobile.
PEDESTRIANS: Visibility is all important. When walking never assume – you could be right, but dead right???
SCOOTERS: This is from Michael Creurer on ‘The Guide to Scooter Safety’ “When I purchased my first scooter 10 years ago I thought that because I knew how to drive a car, using a scooter would be easy. In some respects I was correct; it was not too difficult for me to learn how to negotiate my new scooter around, but what I did not realize was that when I took to the streets, I was unfamiliar with the pedestrian laws……Sometimes we encounter curb cuts which are inadequate, attempt to enter buildings that are not accessible, use public or private transportation and negotiate the myriad of situations which may arise” Follow this link for your FREE BOOKLET that covers everything you may encounter.
CYCLISTS: Visibility, Visibility, Visibility! Slow down and use your shoulder checks. Give vehicles lots of room. Never ride on sidewalks. Wear your helmets.
Directory
An excellent directory of Services for Seniors can be found on the Cowichan Seniors Community Foundation Website including a new program called ‘Better at Home’. Services include: Transportation, Friendly Visiting, Light Yard Work, Light Housekeeping, Minor Home Repairs, Grocery Shopping, Snow Removal. There is a cost for most services but some are free depending on a person’s income level.
Elder Abuse
Elder abuse is a serious issue in BC that undermines the health, independence and dignity of older adults, but you can help. Learn more about recognizing, responding to and preventing elder abuse by visiting SeniorsBC.ca. If you need information, advice or support call:
Seniors Abuse and Information Line (SAIL) line at 1-866-437-1940 or visit SeniorsBC.ca. If it is an emergency, call 911
Seniors Safety
Our staff have just completed a 6-part Senior’s Safety Workshop. We have plenty of resources and knowledge which we would love to share. Give us a call, we’d be happy to visit you. We’ll bring along all sorts of information addressing any one of these concerns:
- Home & Personal Safety
- Internet Frauds & Scams
- Road Safety
- Identity Fraud & Scams
- How to Identify Abuse and Investment Scams & Counterfeit money
Home and Personal Safety
Most Canadians feel safe in their homes. However, many of us fail to take even fundamental precautions to secure our homes against robbery. Do what you can to reduce the opportunity. There are many ways to be proactive around your home: windows, doors & locks, lights – interior/exterior, alarms, shrubbery, outside ladders. We’ve lots of ideas to eliminate the opportunity. Block Watch is a must in your neighbourhood.
Internet Frauds & Scams
We Canadians are 2nd in the world for being scammed by fraudsters. Be extra cautious and safe on the internet. Cyberbullying is a fact. Read the fine-print before signing up for a new website. Change passwords regularly. Don’t divulge too much information on Facebook.