Stay Connected this Older Americans Month

The Clearinghouse for Older Road User Safety (ChORUS) is proud to celebrate Older Americans Month this May. This year’s theme is Powered by Connection, an opportunity to support older adults in finding community and staying connected with friends and family. ChORUS recognizes the key role that driving and traveling play in older adults maintaining their independence and community involvement. 

Staying connected with others is essential to older adults' health and well-being. A study by the National Institute on Aging found that older adults who maintained or increased their social activities had a slower rate of cognitive function decline compared to those who were less socially active.[1]

Encouraging safe driving practices and promoting alternative transportation options can greatly benefit older adults by reducing the risk of crashes while keeping them mobile. Access to safe and reliable transportation allows older adults to maintain their social connections, stay engaged in their communities, and enjoy a higher quality of life. 

ChORUS invites everyone to support the safety and well-being of older adults, this month and beyond. Here are ways to make an impact throughout Older Americans Month: 

• Share resources on older driver safety from our Older Americans Month webpage 
• Follow ChORUS on Facebook, LinkedIn, and X to join the conversation 
• Explore the ChORUS resource library to find information that can help you or an older adult maintain safe driving or find new transportation options
• Discover guides on supporting road user safety for older drivers, their family members and caregivers, law enforcement professionals, medical professionals, state driver licensing agencies, and transportation engineers/planners under ChORUS website’s “Info For” section
• Access the My State Info page to learn more about the laws and resources available in your state
• Encourage your loved ones to create a plan for when driving changes are needed now or in the future by using the ChORUS Transportation Planning Tool 

Following the theme of Powered by Connection, below are tips older adults can pursue to improve connection with community members and loved ones:

• Join a walking or bicycling group for older adults to explore your local community, increase your social engagement, and improve your physical and mental health. Review ChoRUS’ Resources for Pedestrian and Bicycle Safety. 
• Stay connected with family members and friends by asking them for a ride to places like the doctor’s office, the grocery store, the bank, and any other errands you need to run.
• Share ChORUS’ Transportation Planning Tool with others in your network so your loved ones can prepare for when driving changes may be needed. 

Whether you're celebrating Older Americans Month, prioritizing safe driving as you age, or supporting an older adult in improving their driving skills, ChORUS is here to support your safe driving journey. Explore the ChORUS Resource Library by searching for topics that interest you, and join the conversation by following the ChORUS handle @roadsafeseniors on Twitter/X, Facebook, and LinkedIn.