Att L- Tool Version B

PROTECT YOUR INDEPENDENCE &
MOBILITY AS YOU AGE
ARE YOU PROTECTED?

Getting where you need to go safely on a daily basis is
something many of us take for granted. Evidence suggests
that there are things we can do to maintain mobility as we age.
MOBILITY
Your ability to safely get places
you need to go —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 more about how you can protect yourself!
Is this a problem for you now, or could it be in the future?
Driving yourself to places you need to go

YES

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

YES

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

YES

Doing everyday activities such as preparing meals and grocery shopping

YES

Walking a half mile without assistance

YES

Keeping your balance and flexibility

YES

Managing multiple medications safely so as to not impair your driving

YES

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

YES

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

YES

Having safe access to other transportation options like public transportation

YES

Feeling sad, lonely, or unmotivated to meet up with friends or family

YES

If you answered “Yes” to any of the above, please read on to
see how to protect your mobility now, and as you age.

PROTECT YOUR INDEPENDENCE & MOBILITY AS YOU AGE
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
• 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
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.

PROTECT YOUR INDEPENDENCE & MOBILITY AS YOU AGE
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 increase my physical activity now by
(example: walking around the block 4 times a week)

2. I’ll talk to my doctor or healthcare provider about

3. I’ll set one goal to improve my
(example: balance, driving skills, social connections)

4. I’ll talk to my family (or friends) about
(example: about needing rides in the future)

5. I’ll call my local senior center or gym for programs on

6. I’ll call another resource, like Eldercare Locator, to talk about