Some of the most difficult physician-patient discussions revolve around the issue of driving.

Driving is a part of everyday life in America — a necessity that allows you to go to work, visit friends and family, and manage everyday activities, such as shopping for groceries, going to church and transporting children and grandchildren.

But many individuals develop limitations in their ability to continue to drive independently. Concerns about driving ability noticed by the individual or by family should not be ignored. Family members refusing to allow an individual to drive them or their children should be considered red flags.

Unexplained dents and scratches on the car, new traffic citations for accidents and running through red lights and stop signs are also clues that there are driving problems.

Often, individuals with driving limitations will self-limit their driving to familiar locations, good weather and daytime, and avoid highways and heavy-traffic areas. The problem arises when an individual does not recognize that there is a problem at all.

As much as possible, attempts should be made to allow driving with the minimum restrictions necessary for safety. Loss of driving ability has been associated with depression and worsening physical impairments in older persons. It should also be pointed out, though, that if an individual is told to stop driving completely, the recommendation should be followed.

That’s where the Mower County Senior Center can help. When a older adult is feeling like they have lost their independence give them the Senior Transportation number, 1-507-434-2188.

We are here to take over where their driving stopped. Our drivers are personal and our rates are reasonable. In many cases your insurance will cover the cost for your medical transportation, to and from the doctor. We transport in town or out of town to your location. The driver will wait for you or give you their contact number so they are there when you are ready to return home. We are there for you. Give us a call and let us know how we can help you.

We look forward to seeing you at our many programs at the senior center. Don’t forget our coffee shop where every day you can have homemade soup for $1 and sandwich for 50 cents.

Don’t forget we are a voting location on Tuesday so we will not have any programming that day. You are always welcome at the center.

 Upcoming Events

Monday: Bone Builders, 9 a.m.; Blood pressure checks, 9 a.m.; Walking Club, 9 a.m.; Naps, 9:30 a.m.; Cards (Pinochle, Duplicate Bridge), 12:30 p.m.; Exercise w/Evie’s Friends, 1 p.m.

Tuesday: Closed, Primary Election Day

Wednesday: Tai Chi, 9 a.m.; Walking Club, 9 a.m.;

Macular Degeneration Support Group, 10 a.m.; Weight Watchers, 12:15 p.m.; Cards (Cribbage, Pinochle, Duplicate Bridge), 12:30 p.m.; Stitching Bees, 1 p.m.; Open chess, 1 p.m.; Weight Watchers, 5:30 p.m.

Thursday: Silver Sneakers, 8:15 a.m.; Exercise w/Evies Friends, 9 a.m.; Cards (Pinochle), 12:30 p.m.; Bingo, 1 p.m.; Open chess, 1 p.m.; Zumba, 5:45 p.m.

Friday: Bone Builders, 9 a.m.; Cards (500, Duplicate Bridge, Pinochle, Cribbage), 12:30 p.m.; Ping Pong, 3 p.m.

 Weekly Card Results

Monday Bridge

July 25, one table

1st Marry Johnsen, 2nd Lois Johnson, 3rd Ann Dvorak, 4th John Karnes

Tuesday Duplicate Bridge

July 26, six tables

1st Loren Cleland, 1st Dave Ring; 2nd Vandy Newman, 2nd Bud Higgins; 3rd Ron Peters, 3rd Larry Crowe; 4th Joyce Crowe, 4th Bill Mumson; 5th Russ Vaale, 5th Lorraine Lippert

Tuesday 500

July 26, three tables

1st Dennis Bray, 2nd Betty Fisher, 3rd Romans Kituts,

4th Wayne Freitag

Friday Bridge

No Results

Wednesday Duplicate Bridge

July 27, four tables

1st Loren Cleland, 1st Bud Higgins; 2nd Orrion Boisen; 2nd Dave Ring, 3rd Jim Fisher; 3rd Larry Crowe, 4th Edna Knobbe; 4th Cleo Osmundson

Pinochle

No Results

Friday Cribbage

July 29, two tables

1st Barb Dickman, 2nd Russ Vaale, 3rd Quentin Fiala

Friday 500

July 29, two tables

1st Dennis Bray, 2nd Russ Vaale, 3rd Barb Dickman