If only I could clone my younger, more athletic self so that the clone can take care of my harder life responsibilities that used to be effortless. With that clone, everything would get done and I could remain in my home and not depend on anyone. Now wake up from that fantasy to deal with reality.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has a hand-out called MyMobility Plan that I obtained from a recent transportation conference that provides guidance on how to stay independent in life through the Golden Years. Even though some of us are well into those golden years, it’s not too late to change your daily routines to help with the remaining years in life for maintaining independence longer.

As administrator of the Senior Levy programs and now also the countywide transportation system, many of the points made in the CDC handout are in line with the program objectives of our local levy plans. The physical changes with aging make mobility difficult for even the simplest of tasks like driving, shopping or doing household chores. The senior levy programs are available to assist when these tasks become a challenge, although currently most programs are at capacity with waiting lists for service. Knowing the inevitable, you can help yourself now before becoming dependent on others or levy programs.

Our motto at Senior Levy is, “Keeping our seniors safe, healthy and mobile.” Wouldn’t it be great if we maintained our independent dignity for our entire lives? But we also need to be realistic when considering how to prepare for these Golden Years.

Many financially plan for retirement but not everyone plans for mobility challenges that come with age. One of the best planning tips for longevity is to manage chronic conditions by focusing on exercises for strength and mobility. Be sure to visit your doctors to monitor and track changes in your health. Exercises can be as simple as balance skills done in the home at least three times a week that have been shown to reduce the risk of falling. Of course, safety must come first when considering in-home exercises, with proper guidance by a professional. A tip in the handout recommended using single lens glasses when outside the home instead of bifocals used for reading when home to prevent falls as bifocals change how you judge step heights, curbs or any unfamiliar change in your walking path.

Changes made in the home that once were never an issue now may be needed as mobility changes. Schedule time to review room-by-room possible trip hazards that need to be addressed, such as taping down rugs or removing them completely. Keep objects off the floor and, for goodness sake, consider your footwear in the home. Socks on wood floors are for those sliding grandchildren or Tom Cruise in the 1983 movie “Risky Business.”

Our hallways look like a landing runway at the airport with all the night lights but are quite valuable for those midnight bladder runs. And bladder runs at 2 a.m. And 4 a.m. If traveling is in the retirement plans, night lights surely don’t add weight to your baggage so include them on your packing list.

For those outdoor chores, ladders surely add to the dangers, so consider asking for help. Once that fall happens, that recovery is a lot different as we age, especially since bone healing is much different in our older machines, otherwise known as our bodies, as opposed to the newer machines.

In Trumbull County, one of the major costs for Senior Levy is the transportation system — Trumbull County Transit. This system continues to expand annually along with the cost. Planning for your future transportation options needs to happen before you suddenly need it. Be ready for that day. The loss of transportation freedom adds an entirely unknown dependency on others. Using technology for banking, shopping, pharmacy delivery and even virtual medical appointments covers essential needs but socializing, which helps maintain our quality of life, becomes difficult.

Trumbull County Transit is available by registration first, so before the need is urgent, please register. Registration for those 60 and over or those disabled can be found online at www.co.trumbull.oh.us/transportation or call 330-675-2873, if not already registered. This registration has been a process since 2019 with over 3,000 registered to date.

Get additional information for the My Mobility Plan site at: https://www.cdc.gov/older-adult-drivers/media/pdfs/CDC-MyMobilityTool.pdf.

I found this information very hopeful and hope that you do as well so that you can remain “safe, healthy and mobile”.

For additional information, contact Trumbull County Senior Levy Administrator Diane Siskowic-Jurkovic at 330-675-7846 or sljurkov@co.trumbull.oh.us.