We all change. And although changes occur throughout our
lives, they now seem more onerous and unwanted – particularly when they affect
our driving abilities. Driving is important in staying independent, but it is
also one of the most complicated activities we encounter: a balancing act of
perception, attention, memory, decision making, and action control.
Unfortunately, that balance is often affected by age
related changes - which many of us can’t avoid: vision problems, hearing loss,
slower reaction time, loss of strength and flexibility. Grudgingly, we accept this
reality. But we can also adapt by modifying our behaviors in the following
ways
Before driving off, make sure you check yourself, your
vehicle and all around you. Then while driving stay alert, keep an eye out for
the other guy and expect the unexpected; and keep an adequate space between
your vehicle and others to give yourself time to react if you have to stop suddenly
– even though from my experience on congested roadways, some eager driver always
fills the gap.
At some point, you may want to avoid higher risk situations:
night driving, congested streets and intersections, bad weather and busy times
of the day. And although it is a difficult decision, there just may come a time
when you have to give up the keys.
These are suggestions from the AARP Smart Driver course
which is offered monthly at the Center. In the course, you will update your
knowledge of the rules of the road; and learn about normal age-related physical
changes and how to adjust your driving to compensate. Because the course helps
reduce auto accidents, auto insurance companies provide a discount for those
who complete the course. If you are seventy or over, it is recommended you take
the course every two years and for those of you under seventy - once every
three years.
The course is offered from 9:00 – 12:00 on the third
Monday and Tuesday of most every month – in September it will be on the 15th
and 16th. The cost is $20.00 and $15 for AARP members. If you are interested,
call the Center to sign up.
In addition, the Center’s Saturday Breakfast on September
20th, sponsored on behalf of the AARP Smart Driver Class, will
recognize The Dalles’ own Dennis Davis – the #1 rated Smart Driver instructor
in Oregon.
A
couple of quick reminders from the history file. The once in a hundred year
Mosier City Centennial celebration is on Saturday the 13th and
Sunday the 14th. At 1:00 on Saturday in the school gym, there will
be a presentation on Ortley, the 1911 former city on 7-Mile Hill. And on Saturday at
4:00 and Sunday at 2:00 "Voices from the Past" will be presented. You
can learn more at www.mosier100year.com.
And if your interests lean more
towards family history, on Saturday the 13th at 1:00 at
the Discovery Center, the Columbia Gorge Genealogical Society presents the
first of a 3-part series that will get you started on the right path. September’s
topic is “Get Organized”, followed by “Get Started” on October 11th
and “Get It Right” on November 8th.
As
several people pointed out, it’s Tuesday Night music at the Center – not
Saturday night which is busy with Bingo. So let me try again. TUESDAY Night
music is back at the Center with Truman playing on the 16th. Music
starts at 7:00 and everyone is welcome. And don’t forget Nehemiah Brown will be
singing the easy listening hits from the 40’s, 50’s and 60’s on Friday
September 19th. The cost is $3.00.
“Drove
my Chevy to the levee, but the levee was dry,” were lyrics from the song “American
Pie” sung and written by Don McLean and inspired by the tragic airplane crash
that killed McLean’s idol, Buddy Holly as well as Richie Valens and the Big
Bopper. (And the winner of a free Saturday Breakfast is Ed Anghilante.)
This
week’s “Remember When” question is a back to movie quotes – this one from the
highly acclaimed 1964 British - American black comedy starring Peter Sellers (in
three different roles) and George C Scott. In what movie was it said "Gentlemen,
you can't fight in here. This is the War Room!"? E-mail your answer to
mcseniorcenter@gmail.com, call 541-296-4788 or send it by air express on a B-52
bomber.
Well,
it’s been another week trying to line a pig’s ear with a silk purse – or
something like that. Until we meet again, learn something new every day – just try
not to forget it by the time you fall asleep.
“When
we are no longer able to change a situation - we are challenged to change
ourselves.” Viktor E. Frankl
No comments:
Post a Comment