Sunday, October 9, 2022

Ageing in Place in Canada, thinking about your community and getting around

 Thinking about your community

The type of community you live in can also impact your ability to live independently.

Age-friendly communities encourage seniors and other residents to stay active and engaged, and make it easy to do so with features such as well-maintained sidewalks and benches, accessible buildings, and good public transportation.

Age-friendly communities also provide seniors with access to essential supports and services such as shopping, health care providers and recreational activities. Many communities in British Columbia have a designation as “Age-Friendly” but that designation must be taken with a grain of salt. Many communities that claim to be age-friendly are only partially so. Here are some questions to ask about your community or any community that claims to be “age-friendly.”

                    How age-friendly is my community?

                    What supports and services are there in my community to meet my needs and help me maintain my independence as I age?

                    Do I need to consider moving to a community with more services?

                    Am I close to the support and services that I need now and may need in the future?

                    What assistance may I be eligible for from governments or helping agencies?

Getting around

Being able to get to appointments, shopping and recreational activities is an important part of being as independent as possible. For many people, this involves driving.

Planning for independence includes thinking about what to do when you are ready to, or must, retire from driving.

Many people outlive the ability to drive safely due to medical conditions that are more common as they age. It is important to consider how you will get around if you are no longer able to drive. It is also important to start thinking about other transportation options available in your community such as public transit, taxis, low-cost transportation services, Uber or Lyft, or family and friends.

Share your views on ageism with the government of Canada through an online questionnaire  This link will open a new tab in your browser. The questionnaire is a chance for you to provide your point of view anonymously. It should take 20 to 30 minutes to complete(External link)

(External link)

.        As I age, can I get to the services that I need and the activities that I enjoy?

        Am I aware of my medical conditions that could impact my ability to drive?

         Am I aware of the signs that suggest I may need to consider retiring from driving? Do I know where to go to test my driving ability?

        If I am no longer able to drive, do I have access to reliable and affordable alternatives in my community?

        Will the cost of alternative transportation be more or less than owning my own vehicle? 


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