Archive for the ‘transportation’ Category

AARP Driver Safety Classes Announced Summer-Fall 2011

The AARP Driver Safety Program has announced classes in Maine for drivers 50 years of age and older at the following locations: (See below list of dates and locations of classes in Maine).

Insurance companies in Maine are required by law to give discounts to drivers 55 years of age and older who complete this course at least once every three years. For more information visit the website at www.home.earthlink.net/~drivesafe-me/ .

The registration fee is $12 per person for AARP members, $14 per person for non-members, and advance registration is required. Class size is limited and registrations will be accepted first-come, first-served while space is available.

The AARP Driver Safety Program is the nation’s first and largest classroom refresher course designed to meet the safety needs of mature and experienced drivers. It is a four-hour class that helps drivers learn about defensive driving techniques, new traffic laws, rules of the road and much more. It helps older drivers learn how to adjust their driving to age-related changes in vision, hearing and reaction time.

Insurance companies in Maine are required by law to give discounts to drivers 55 years of age and older who complete this course at least once every three years.

Dates & Times

Class Location

Instructor & Registration Contact

JUNE 2011 

   

June 14 

8:30 am to 1 pm

BELFAST

Reynolds House, 33 Booth Dr.

Instructor: Paul Sheridan, 338-0350

To register, call instructor, 338-0350

June 17

9 am to 1:30 pm

YARMOUTH

Community Room, Yarmouth Town Hall

Instructor: Phil Chin, 846-0858

To register, call Instructor, 846-0858

June 28

12:30 to 4:30 pm

BRUNSWICK

People Plus, 35 Union St.

Instructor: Joseph Hahn, 751-9364

To register, call instructor, 751-9364

June 28

9 am to 1:30 pm

PORTLAND

AARP State Office, 1685 Congress St.

Instructor: Robert Libby, 650-0571

To register, call instructor, 650-0571

JULY 2011

   

July 11

12:30 to 4:30 pm

PITTSFIELD

Town Council Chambers, 112 Somerset Ave.

Instructor: George Davis, 474-0677

To register, call 474-0677 until 7/4/11

After 7/4/11, call Town Office, 487-3136

July 20

9 am to 2 pm

HALLOWELL

Cohen Center, Town Farm Road

Instructor: Norman Barrows, 487-5073

To register, call Maggie, 626-7777

AUGUST 2011

   

August 4

9 am to 1:30 pm

PORTLAND

AARP State Office, 1685 Congress St.

Instructor: John Hammon, 655-4943

To register, call 655-4943

SEPTEMBER 2011

   

September 7

8:30 am to 1 pm

LEWISTON

SeniorsPlus, 8 Falcon Rd.

Instructor: Tom Harvey, 597-2331

To register, call Sue Holmes, 795-4010

September 15

10 am to 3 pm

DOVER-FOXCROFT

Penquis CAP, 50 North St.

Instructor: George Davis, 474-0677

To register, call Paul Matulis, 564-7116

September 15

9 am to 1:30 pm

PORTLAND

AARP State Office, 1685 Congress St.

Instructor: John Hammon, 655-4943

To register, call 655-4943

September 21

8:30 am to 12:30 pm

BRUNSWICK

36 Pejepscot Terrace

Instructor: Joe Hahan, 751-9364

To register, call instructor, 751-9364

OCTOBER 2011

   

October 3

9 am to 2 pm

WATERVILLE

Muskie Center, 38 Gold St.

Instructor: Norman Barrows, 487-5073

To register, call Cheryl, 873-4745

October 20

9 am to 1:30 pm

PORTLAND

AARP State Office, 1685 Congress St.

Instructor: Phil Chin, 846-0858

To register, call Instructor, 846-0858

NOVEMBER 2011

   

November 10

8:30 am to 1 pm

LEWISTON

SeniorsPlus, 8 Falcon Rd.

Instructor: Tom Harvey, 597-2331

To register, call Sue Holmes, 795-4010

 

This list will be updated as more classes are added. Check back again later for new information.


Safe Travels for Seniors

Are you worried about getting your folks back from Florida, or concerned about navigating the airports when you travel by yourself?  Could you use an extra pair of hands traveling with your loved one?

Consider hiring a travel companion.  Travel companions offer services ranging from pick-up, delivery and check-in assistance to actually traveling with you or your loved one and ensuring a smooth flight and a safe and secure arrival at the final destination. Other services might range from someone willing to drive your car back while you fly home, to RN-level assistance.

aircompansionsOne example of a travel companion is Sonja Burns of Warrenm, who has started Air Companions ,  a service to offer assistance to travelers who shouldn’t – or don’t want to – travel solo. She’ll travel with the elderly, the disabled or impaired, people with a fear of flying, or those needing limited medical attention. She provides escort service to the final destination, helps with airport check-in and luggage, and assists with connecting flights. Since Sonja is an LPN and a direct support professional, she’s comfortable overseeing dietary and medical needs. And of course she’d handle any travel changes that are necessary if flights are delayed or canceled.

As our Snow Birds fly back south and we enter the travel season associated with changing residences and holiday visits, it’s good to have travel options. Consider a travel companion if it makes the journey easier, safer or more enjoyable.