ProjEct lookS at tranSPortation nEEdS
Getting around town in the winter months can present a few more barriers than during the summer months for older residents who may have mobility issues.
The Prince George Council of Seniors is inviting those 65 and older, who are living independently in the city bowl and who find themselves at risk of falling to apply for a winter transportation pilot project. The project will subsidize the cost of a taxi ride within the bowl area that will see seniors continue to enjoy their regular activities.
Those who can apply to be part of the project include seniors 65 years and older and:
* have fallen or have been at risk of falling with the last 12 months;
* have difficulty accessing safely their regular mode of transportation during winter months due to ice and snow on sidewalks;
*are not eligible for Handy Dart services;
* do not currently own an insured vehicle;
* permanent address is within the city bowl;
* are capable of entering and exiting a vehicle without assistance;
* are capable of walking with the use of a cane or walking (you are not in a wheelchair or require assistance to enter and exit buildings.)
The project started in January and there are nine people participating, Candace Miners, project director, said.
"And there is room for more people to participate in the project," Miners said. "At any time you're at risk for a fall - anybody can fall at any time but when there's a lot of snow and ice that level of risk goes up substantially. So what we're trying to do is bring that level of risk down. When they are at such a level of risk they can end up with broken bones and as you age you don't heal as quickly or as fully as you once did."
Mobility is key to healthy, active aging and improving quality of life, she added.
"And this project is all about mitigating the risk," Miners said.
To register for the project, local seniors are invited to with visit the Prince George Council of Seniors Resource Centre at 721 Victoria St. or call 250564-5888 Monday to Friday from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.