Att K- Tool VersionA

Driving, Mobility & Staying Healthy at 60+
Are you 60 or older?
Do you want to keep your independence as you
age?
Are you worried you may become a burden to
others over time?
Are you concerned about having the support
you might need to maintain independence as
you age?
Or do you have concerns about an older family
member who needs help getting around?

Getting where you need to go safely on a daily
basis is something many of us take for granted.
But evidence shows that we may lose our mobility as we age.

MOBILITY: Your ability to get places you need to go
safely —from driving to walking to getting in and out
of bed

We are all at risk for losing our mobility. But you
don’t have to!
Take this short assessment and learn how you
can protect yourself —or someone you love—
now!

DRIVING, MOBILITY, & STAYING HEALTHY AT 60 +
FOR YOU OR SOMEONE YOU LOVE…
Take 5 minutes to answer these questions to see how you or someone you love are
doing across the different aspects of life that can affect your mobility as you age.
Thinking about your life today, how would you rate yourself on the following?

TODAY

This is a
problem
for me

This is a
problem
for a
loved one

Driving yourself to places you need to go

YES

YES

Getting places, like the doctor’s, when you are unable to drive yourself by
taking public transportation or using a community service

YES

YES

Getting places when you are unable to drive yourself by arranging a ride from
a family member or friend

YES

YES

Doing everyday activities such as preparing meals and grocery shopping

YES

YES

Affording public transportation or assistive services to get places you need to go

YES

YES

Keeping your balance and flexibility

YES

YES

Managing multiple medications safely so as to not impair your driving

YES

YES

Remembering things—having good short-term and long-term memory

YES

YES

Which of these are you concerned about being a problem in the future?

IN THE FUTURE

I’m
I’m
concerned concerned
for myself for a loved
one

Driving yourself to places you need to go

YES

YES

Getting places, like the doctor’s, when you are unable to drive yourself by
taking public transportation or using a community service

YES

YES

Getting places when you are unable to drive yourself by arranging a ride from
a family member or friend

YES

YES

Doing everyday activities such as preparing meals and grocery shopping

YES

YES

Affording public transportation or assistive services to get places you need to go

YES

YES

Keeping your balance and flexibility

YES

YES

Managing multiple medications safely so as to not impair your driving

YES

YES

Remembering things—having good short-term and long-term memory

YES

YES

If you put a checkmark in any of the shaded columns above, please
read on to see how to protect your ability to get where you want to go
now, and as you age.

DRIVING, MOBILITY, & STAYING HEALTHY AT 60 +
Staying healthy and active, being social and connected, and having a
plan will give you the best chances of maintaining your freedom to get
places you need to go as you age.
CHECK OUT OUR TIPS AND RESOURCES:

STAY HEALTHY & ACTIVE

QUICK TIP
START WITH SMALL
STEPS, LIKE STRETCHING!

• Begin a program to improve balance and coordination; increase your
flexibility and strength. How? Talk with your doctor and check with your
community or senior center about programs in your area that may help.
• Talk with your doctor or healthcare provider about physical health
problems and concerns, medications, memory, and vision and health
tests. How? Call your doctor or healthcare provider .
• Complete a fall prevention checklist to identify hazards and learn tips
for safety in your home. How? Call 1-800-CDC-INFO and ask for a
checklist (or go to http://www.cdc.gov/).
• Take a driving refresher course. How? Call AARP, 1-888-OURAARP,
888-687-2277 (www.aarp.org) or AAA, 1-800-AAA-HELP, 800-222-4357,
(www.aaa.com).
• Consider making changes in your home to meet your needs (like adding
support bars in the bathtub or removing a rug that may cause you to
fall). Find people who can help you with home chores, repairs and
modifications. How? Call the Eldercare Locator to find local counselors,
1-800-677-1116, www.eldercare.gov.
• Access local and national programs and resources on healthy aging.
How? Contact the National Institute on Aging by exploring
www.nia.nih.gov/.

STAY SOCIAL & CONNECTED

QUICK TIP
GET UP AND WALK
AROUND THE
BLOCK—YOU’LL GET
EXERCISE & SOCIAL
INTERACTION WITH
YOUR NEIGHBORS!

Socialize!
• Volunteer in the community. How? Call 2-1-1, a service by United Way
that can connect you with local groups and organization (www.211.org).
• Enjoy a hobby or past-time or learn to do something new. How? Ask
about groups or classes at the local recreation center, senior center or
community college.
• Reach out to family, friends and neighbors and tell them what you need
emotionally, like a weekly coffee date and time to catch up. How? Send
an email, make a call, or join a social networking site like Facebook to
reconnect.
• Get involved with your local senior center. How? Go to lunch at the
center, join in a game of cards, take a class or just call to learn about
their programs.
Take care of your emotional health!
• Talk to a counselor or therapist if you are feeling sad a lot. How? Call
the Eldercare Locator to find local counselors, 1-800-677-1116,
www.eldercare.gov.
• Contact a local church, synagogue or other spiritual center.
Get out there!
• Take advantage of local transportation services like volunteer driver
programs, paratransit (door-to-door or curb-to-curb), public buses, and
transportation voucher programs.
• Family, friends and neighbors can help you get where you need to go.

DRIVING, MOBILITY, & STAYING HEALTHY AT 60 +
Now that you know what you can do to protect your mobility as you
age, make a plan!
HAVE A PLAN
Some practical things to consider as you make your plan:

 Are you staying in your current home or perhaps downsizing or moving
over the next 10 years?

 How walkable are your sidewalks?
 How close are grocery stores?
 Can you easily get to public transit, like the bus?
 How easy would it be to get to your doctor without a car?

MY PLAN

1. I’ll stay active and healthy by
(example: walking around the block 4 times a week)

2. I’ll stay social and connected by
(example: taking a hobby class at the community center)

3. I’ll plan for the future by
(example: mapping the buses to my doctor’s office)