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
. 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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