COLORADO SPRINGS — How do you know when it's time for you, or an elderly loved one, to hang up the car keys?
The non-profit group Envida is teaming up with Health Promotion Partners to explain what you should look out for, and free resources you can take advantage of.
"Has there been any dents or scrapes on the vehicle that are unexplained?" said Terri Cassidy with Health Promotion Partnership explained when explaining what folks should be keeping an eye out for.
"Is this person getting lost in a familiar environment? Or are they having difficulty with things in their daily lives?"
Cassidy helps perform driving evaluations at Health Promotion Partners to determine whether a person is fit to drive, or even if they should cut down their driving distances.
(If you'd like to find out more about these tests, you can call Health Promotion Partners at 719-231-6657. It supplements clinical tests done beforehand, runs about three hours long, and is available at a private price rate.)
The good news: giving up car keys doesn't mean have to equate to relinquishing freedom and independence.
Envida has free ride services folks can request to get around town and go about their daily lives.
"We offer rides for those with disabilities, older adults (60 years and above) and low income folks, and we've been doing this for about 47 years," explained Dave Somers, Director of Outreach and Development at Envida.
Envida only asks for a donation of $3.50 each way.
If you'd like to call Envida and find out whether you're eligible for their bus program, you can call them at 719-633-4677.
