30 - North Shore News — Sunday, January 23, 2000 SENIORS The NEWS photo Mike Wekofield DR. Patricia McFariand of West Vancouver offers a new program called DriveABLE that makes use of computer-based tesis to assess safe-driving skilis. “MY Dad used to drive me everywhere — sum- mer holidays, the ice- cream parlour, he’d even drop me off at school on his way to work. Now I worry that he just isn’t a safe driver anymore.” T have heard comments like this from many adults whose parents are not as energetic and alert as they were 30 or 40 years ago. And many seniors may also worry that we aren’t as capable as we used to be. We may say things like: s pre -ecious Ssoun unds of * Do people seem to mumble? ¢ Do you hear, but have trouble understanding some of the words in conversation? ¢ Bo you often ask people to repeat what they have said? Hear the whole story! - Beitone Digital is the answer. {t's a highly personalized hearing system that’s so sophisticated it can perform mere than 100 million sound processing calculations per second. This digital technology is available in every Beltone hearing aid style, Including our smallest hearing aids, INVISA, as shown above. in North Vancouver Gall us TODAY foryour appointment 1 FREE Hearing i Test & Digital Evaiuation Bring in this coupon aleng with someone whose voice you are familiar with, to = your Beltone Hearing Center. One of our trained hearing care specialists will Conduct this personal computerized evaluation which will determine the type and degree of your loss, if any. in West Vancouver Helping the world hear better 4600 Clinics in 40 Countries around the World for 60 Years. 21 7-1940 Lonsdale, North Vancouver » 202-585 16th Si., West Vancouver “There's too much traffic nowadays,” “Young people drive too fast” or “Headlights are too bright.” While these things may be true, we may also not want to admit that our eyesight is failing or that arthritis affects our ability to use the gas and brake pedals. The general public has come to rely on [CBC to monitor our driving skills. Every five years, when my driver’s licence is due to be renewed, I must sign a form stating that I have no medical problems that would interfere with my ability to drive. When I turn 80, and every’ two years after that, ICBC will send me a “medical notice” which must be signed by myself and my doctor before my licence is renewed. However, within that two- year period and before age 80, I may develop an iliness that will cause a problem with my driving skills that I may not be aware of. In order to deal with this prob- lem, a new pr im, DriveABLE” hee been devel- oped. This service is based on research done by psycholo- gists and medical profession- als, and has been designed especially for drivers who may have medical difficulties that interfere with their ability to drive safely. The driver will be guided through a number of computer-based tests that assess the mental and motor skills related to safe driving. id and the ill can test driving ability These are not complicated tests; the driver needs only to touch the screen or press a button to respond. If the computer tests leave any doubt as to the driver’s competence, he will also go through a road test. This test is different from the regula: road test but is no more diffi- cult. It has been developed to identify errors made by dri- vers who are unsafe because of medical conditions, and it uses a mid-sized car with automatic transmission and a dual brake. DriveABLE is now avail- able on the North Shore. You or your doctor can get more information by calling Dr. Pat McFarland at 921- 3355. A brochure explaining this program can be obtained from the DriveABLE office at Suite 300, 1497 Marine Dr., West Vancouver, V7T 1B8. Drivers are asked to bring their glasses and hearing aids, if needed. The cost of the assessment is $275 plus GST. I hope that many of us, both young and old, will take advantage of this excellent service, which, in the long run, can save us all tax dollars and possibly save lives. Mary Segal is coordinator of Lionsview Seniors’ Planning Society. Ideas for future columns are welcome. Cuntact Segal at 985-3852 or drop a line to Lionsview Sentors’ Planning Society, North Building, 600 W. Queens Rd, North Van, B.C., V7N 2L3. what’s on for seniors Keep Well Exercises at Parkgate Community Centre, 3625 Banff Ct., N.V. Tuesdays from 9:30-11:30 a.m. Well at North Shore Neighbourhood House 225 E. 2nd St., N.V. Mondays, 9 a.m.-noon. Daryl Wing Pharmacist CAPSULE COMMENTS Considering the complexity of today's medications, it was nice to hear that 86% of women consult a pharmacist before buying a non-prescrip- tion medication. Men aren't quite as ready to ask for help. We believe it's your right to know about the medications you put into your body. Our job is to ensure that knowl- edge is sound. We'd be happy to answer all your medication questions. Free Parki Free Delivery for Prarmacy Prescriptions DAVIES PHARMACY 1401 St. Georges LBS-BZ7I- 0... Keep Well at Zajac-Norgate House 16th and Bridgman, N.V. Mondays, 10 a.m.-noon. The GOsteoporosis Society: North Shore Support Group mests on the third Monday of each month (except in December, July and August), 7 p.m., W.V. Seniors’ Activity Centre. Info: 731-4997. Keep Well at Silver Harbour Centre 144 East 22nd St., N.V. Wednesdays from 9:30- 11:30 a.m. Keep Well at West Van Seniors’ Activity Centre 695 21st St. Tuesdays from 8:40- 11:30 a.m. Keep Well at Libby Lodge in Horseshoe Bay. Tuesdays from 10:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. West Van Senior’s Photo Club meets every Thursday at 1 p.m. at the West Van Seniors? Centre for discussion of mem- ber’s slides, prints and photo « techniques. There are also peri- odic presentations by invited speakers. Members have access to darkroom facilities. Info: 926-6236. . Experienced square dancers aged 60 and older are invited to join Doreen Sillery at the West Van recCentre, Cypress room on Fridays at 1 p.m. Info: Doreen at 987-5397. If you are interested in learning: to square dance call the West Van Senior's Centre at 925-7280. Send in your event listings. _ Wi Event producers can choose to enter their own information - : in the News Web calendar at .: — Compiled by BA A le