It's September: Time to Hit the Road!
Friday, 02 September 2011 13:29
It’s September: Time to Hit the Road!
Ah…the week after Labor Day! Our already-busy roads immediately become clogged now that everyone is back at work, school, and whatever constitutes “normal activities”. To live in Northern Virginia is to drive.
What about our older adults? As we all live longer, we are sharing the road with more and more elderly drivers. The Long Term Care Coordinating Council (LTCCC) has a Mobility and Transportation Committee that deals with how our seniors and adults with disabilities, including our vets, can get around in our county. Their vision: A multi-modal transportation system for the Fairfax area, linked to the metropolitan region that affords personal independence, choice, mobility, and full participation in all aspects of society to individuals regardless of age, disability or economic status in a safe, accessible, affordable, reliable, timely, and sustainable manner.
I recently received an email form the M&T Committee chair Steve Yaffe. He was suggesting an excellent article on MSN 7 Signs Dad Shouldn’t Drive Anymore.http://money.msn.com/auto-insurance/7-signs-dad-should-not-drive-anymore-insure.aspx?GT1=33033
It is must-reading for all families. It certainly struck a note with me. My own dad-86- has dealt with multiple health issues over the summer. Up until now, he has lived on his own and has driven short distances to handle errands. He has a perfect driving record--- but now no longer has his keys. It’s time for a new plan. As my family works to put a system in place, I know Dad misses that bit of his independence.
So here are the 7 warning signs that the keys need to go:
1. Too many near misses
2. Difficulty turning to check traffic
3. Losing their way
4. Slow responses
5. Having a badly battered car
6. Driving angry
7. Too many tickets
The author stresses that it’s important to speak from your heart: you are helping Mom or Dad make responsible decisions about their own safety and that of others. You are mirroring what he or she did for you as a loving parent; now it time for YOU to care for them.
Now that Mom and Dad can’t drive, what are the alternatives? LifeCircle’s mission is to invite community support for new projects that will help us all to stay independent for as long as possible. Where are these “new ideas” generated?
LifeCircle invites you to consider joining the M&T Committee…and support their efforts!!
The M&T Committee includes members with a variety of backgrounds and expertise, including specialties related to disability, aging, veteran programs from diverse perspective including volunteer, human service, non-profit and public sector programs. Committee members will use these specialties and perspectives to exchange ideas and information, promote studies and assessments, structure strategies and approaches, develop partnerships, and assist program providers to develop and enhance solutions.
Committee Member Estimated Time Commitment
4-6 hours each month including meetings
Committee Meeting Schedule
3rd Wednesday of each month, 7-9pm, Fairfax County Government Center
Committee Chair
Steve Yaffe
This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it & This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
Contact Steve for more information. Our county needs you. Help assure that all our Moms and Dads- and adults with disabilities—WILL have their transportation needs met. No one should have to feel isolated, alone and abandoned.
Safe driving everyone!
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Rowdy makes this comment
Friday, 30 December 2011
Rowdy makes this comment
Friday, 30 December 2011