Attend seniors' forums

No matter what your age, if you have a driver's license and a vehicle to drive, you have your freedom. The ability to drive is treasured even more so in later life. It's no secret that older drivers are at greater risk of losing their driver's licenses due to diminishing driving skills and abilities. What is not common knowledge is that there is a professional field of occupational therapy, which specializes in helping people to maintain driving skills and to regain the ability to drive. The professional who works in this capacity is an occupational therapist with additional credentials. This is an occupational therapist registered/licensed, certified driver rehabilitation or OTR/L, CDR. Impaired driving can be caused by physical changes that commonly occur in later life. Joints and muscles can become stiffer and weaker, vision problems can ensue with older age and medication side effects can impair a person's ability to think, reason and make good driving judgments. Weak muscles, weak joints/painful joints; and/or medications can reduce reaction time. As drivers age, their physical fitness and their cognitive fitness can decline. For many, it is not detectable in their driving. For others it is. There are things that can be done, which allow some people to keep their keys longer, in later life, while being safe drivers, too. If you are worried about keeping your keys longer as you grow older, start learning about what is within your power to control your driving skills and abilities. Serving Our Seniors is hosting a public forum entitled "What You Ought To Know To Keep Your Keys Longer" from 1:30-3 p.m. on Monday, April 24. James Kesler, an occupational therapist registered and licensed, certified driving rehabilitation specialist and certified driving instructor, will be on hand to discuss with the audience services available to help older drivers maintain their ability to drive well and longer as they age. An audience of 30 or more is required to justify the time and the travel of the speaker. To RSVP, contact Serving Our Seniors at 419-624-1856 or Mail@ServingOurSeniors.org and leave your name, phone number and the name of this event. If the forum is canceled you will be notified by phone. Q: Is it too late to sign up for the forum, "What's Up with Over-the-Counter Hearing Aid?", Wednesday, April 26, 2023? A: No, it's not too late. In fact we need more people to RSVP to keep from canceling this event. A representative from Congresswoman Marcy Kaptur's office will be on the panel to explain how changes in the law have made it possible to buy over-the-counter hearing aids; Two hearing aid businesses will also be on the panel to explain the pros and the cons of over-the-counter hearing aids. Call Serving Our Seniors for more information 419-624-1856.