Driving a boost to seniors well-being

THERE are more seniors on the roads these days, among three million of us who are driving.

This assertion is based on research by Roy Morgan, who says the over-65 driver pool has increased by 10 per cent in the past 10 years.

This apparently means over 91 per cent of seniors are still behind the wheel.

Now, I have to be careful with the use of the word senior. My father, who has just returned from completing the Grand to Grand 273km ultra-race in Colorado over seven days, might dispute the term. At the same time, he's very happy with his official gold card - and I am too, because it's a good day when your parents are suddenly cheaper to treat to the movies.

It's hardly surprising that there is a bigger pool of older drivers. My parents are baby boomers and this bubble of population has affected every demographic since World War II.

Driving is very important. I know the old joke is that you want to live just long enough to be a burden to your kids, but the reality is that being a burden must be the most demeaning blow to your self-esteem. It is true that as you get older, certain issues might not bother you as much, but your self-esteem, your sense of worth and value as a person, remains as important and vital as ever.

And one of the important aspects of self-esteem is being independent and useful - including being able to drive.

I know my grandfather took it very hard when, at about 89, we noted the increasing number of dents on his car and talked to his doctor about his drivers licence. A test was arranged, which he failed abysmally. He lost his licence.

He died three years later. Activity was important to him - he bungy-jumped at 86 - and losing his licence derailed his routine.

So I'm happy to celebrate that nine out of 10 seniors are still behind the wheel. Let's face it, most people who die on the road are an entirely different demographic. But it is important to note that one day, you might not be able to drive. Make sure your life, and your networks, and your well-being, isn't rigidly fixed to having a licence.