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Life Health > Annuities

America's seniors keep their eyes on the road ahead

By Andy Stonehouse

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As America’s population ages – some 10,000 people will turn 65 every day by the year 2012 – seniors and their families see that transportation and driving safety will become significant issues.

More than 30 million American drivers aged 65 and over are on the roads today, but need to acknowledge that physical limitations will eventually cause them to reduce their ability to drive – or require them to seek alternatives to their own cars.

ITNAmerica, a national, nonprofit network for community based senior mobility, has joined with Liberty Mutual to try to provide resources for seniors and their families seeking practical, affordable and dignified mobility solutions.

In ITNAmerica’s first affiliated communities – Charleston, S.C.; Portland, Maine; Orlando, Fla.; and Los Angeles – volunteers from the community and a small paid staff use their own or donated automobiles to ferry member-riders to and from medical appointments, grocery shopping, work, exercise and social engagements.

The system works as a supplement to public transit programs and will eventually have affiliates in communities including Chicago, San Diego, Lexington, Ky., Enfield/Middlesex, Conn. and the Quad Cities of Iowa and Illinois.

For more information on the program, visit www.libertymutual.com/seniordriving. Online readers can also read tips on helping seniors adjust their driving habits to increase safety, as well as guidance for adult children looking to help their parents cope.