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Senior Driving Skills – "Age Well Drive Smart" on Oct. 27, 2015 (Lafayette)

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The California Highway Patrol knows that driving is freedom. Helping seniors preserve that freedom is the focus of their Age Well Drive Smart program.
CHP Age Well Drive SmartOn October 27, CHP – Contra Costa invites you to take their free Age Well Drive Smart class in Lafayette. This two-hour interactive program is designed to help Contra Costa County’s senior drivers refresh their knowledge of the “rules of the road” and learn about age-related physical changes and how to adjust to them.
Included in the discussion will be the importance of preserving the ability to drive, factors to consider in extending our driving years, and health issues which might require us to limit or stop driving. 
The event happens at Our Savior’s Lutheran Church (1035 Carol Lane) in Lafayette on October 27, from 9:30am to 11:30am.
To register, visit the Eventbrite page.

Seniors: Free Clipper Cards & Transportation Options – April 28, 2015 in Livermore

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Senior Clipper CardSeniors and disabled persons in the Livermore area who are interested in transportation services or a free Senior Clipper Card, and instruction on how to use it, are invited to attend an event on Tuesday, April 28 in Livermore.
Free Senior Clipper Cards will be issued at the event, and attendees will receive instruction on how to use the cards on buses and trains. In addition, BART, Wheels bus (LAVTA) and Community Resources for Independent Living (CRIL) will be present to explain discounts available with Senior Clipper Cards and give information on transportation services that exist for seniors and the disabled.
The event will be held on Tuesday, April 28 from 10am until noon in the Palo Verde Room at the Livermore Community Center, located at 4444 East Avenue in Livermore. If you cannot attend, you can get information on discounts and apply for a Senior Clipper Card at ClipperCard.com.

Senior Drivers: Ways to Improve Your Driving Safety

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As we get older, physical changes occur which can impact our safety behind the wheel. The good news is there are steps we can take to remain safer drivers even as we age. Thanks to the Pleasant Hill Commission on Aging, here are some helpful suggestions for senior drivers. If you’re not a senior driver but have a parent or friend who is, consider sharing these suggestions with them:

1. VISION – 90% of the information you use while driving is visual. This makes it important to:
•Adjust mirrors properly before you start to drive.
•Check your rearview mirror every 10-20 seconds.
•Turn and look over your shoulder when changing lanes.
•Avoid night driving.
2. MEMORY and ATTENTION – Eliminating distractions that take your eyes or mind off the road is useful at any age. To improve your focus and reduce distractions:
•Put your sunglasses where you can easily reach them.
•Know where you are going before you start.
•Turn the radio off and keep conversations to a minimum.
•Drive on familiar roads to reduce stress.
hikingpoles3. STRENGTH & ENDURANCE – Regular exercise helps lower the incidence of memory loss and physical disability:
•Continue the exercise habit; take regular walks.
•Contact the Senior Center, YMCA, or Recreation & Park District about exercise options.
•Get plenty of sleep and rest.
•Ask your health care provider about any health concerns before starting your routine.
4. STAY INFORMED ON HEALTH CONDITIONS & MEDICATION CHANGES
•Ask your doctor or pharmacist about side-effects or negative drug interactions that may affect your driving.
•Be sure you know how you react to a medication before getting behind the wheel.
5. CHECK OUT YOUR CAR – The safer your vehicle, the safer you are on the road. Plus, not having to worry about the reliability of your car reduces your stress while driving:
•Maintain the correct fluid levels and air pressure in the tires.
•Promptly repair any damage that could influence driving safety (e.g. cracked windshield, broken mirror, burned out light).
•Participate in a CarFit event (the next one is May 2 in Pleasant Hill).
 
Images courtesy National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, National Institutes of Health

CarFit Event for Pleasant Hill Seniors – Saturday, May 2, 2015

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Older drivers are often the safest drivers, since they are more likely to wear their seatbelts and less likely to speed or drink and drive. However, older drivers are more likely to be killed or seriously hurt when a crash does occur due to their greater susceptibility to injury.
CarFit
CarFit is an educational program offering older adults the opportunity to check how well their personal vehicles “fit” them. A trained team, including occupational therapy practitioners, will assist older drivers in assuring they leave with:
 • A clear line of sight over the steering wheel 
 • Adequate space between the front airbag/steering wheel and the driver’s breastbone
 • Properly adjusted head restraints and proper positioning on the gas & brake pedals 
 • Proper seat belt fit and instruction on proper use
 • Safe positioning of mirrors to minimize blind spots
 

Screen Shot 2015-03-17 at 3.49.27 PMThe Pleasant Hill Commission on Aging will host a CarFit event for Pleasant Hill Seniors on Saturday, May 2, from 10am-1:00pm, consisting of a series of personal appointments. The 20-minute appointment not only provides an opportunity to open a positive conversation about driver-to-vehicle fit, but it also provides specific community resources to help older drivers stay healthy and continue to drive for as long as safely possible.

To register for an appointment, please call Danielle Habr from the City of Pleasant Hill at (925) 671-5221 by April 29. Appointments will be taken on a first-come, first-served basis. For more information about this program, please visit car-fit.org.

Pleasant Hill CarFit Event
The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints
555 Boyd Road
Saturday, May 2, 10am-1pm

County Connection Bus Free Ride Program for Seniors and Disabled (2013)

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Good news if you are a senior or disabled County Connection rider: beginning on Sunday, December 22, 2013, rides will be free seven days a week from 10 AM to 2 PM on any regular or express fixed-route service for the next six months.

County Connection is responding to a need in our community for reliable transportation options for the elderly and persons with disabilities,

said Bob Simmons, County Connection Board Chair and City of Walnut Creek Council Member.

Because this group is often living on a fixed income, we are pleased to offer this Free Ride Program during the mid-day, in addition to our already reduced rates to ride at other times of the day.

To take advantage of the Free Ride Program, senior and disabled riders need to show bus operators proof of eligibility.
Seniors need to show ONE of the following:

  • A photo ID showing a birth date of 65 years of age or older
  • A senior Clipper card

The disabled need to show ONE of the following:

  • An RTC Discount Card
  • A DMV placard registration receipt
  • A Medicare Card
  • A Veteran Disability card

The Free Ride Program will be offered by County Connection for a promotional period of six months, after which the feasibility of extending the program will be studied. As a general reminder, the first few seats of the bus are designated to allow easy access for elderly and disabled riders.
County Connection provides fixed route and paratransit service throughout central Contra Costa County.  For information on all transit services, visit countyconnection.com or call County Connection Customer Service at 676-7500.