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Community Corner

Do You Fit in Your Car?

Seniors have an opportunity to learn if they fit safely in their car.

When my kids were little, there were special days at the where you could take in your car and car seat to make sure it was installed properly. Time must be flying by, as my eyes were immediately attracted to a post in the police blotter about an event called CarFit. Surprisingly, this event is not for toddlers, it’s for seniors.

At this event, seniors will be evaluated on a 12-point check-list by a trained CarFit technician to actually learn if they fit well in their car. Then participants will stop by Buffalo Grove resident Jodi Berger’s station. Jodi is a certified occupational therapist (OT). At this event, she will address any concerns that may arise with recommendations, adaptations or adaptive equipment if appropriate. 

Jodi went to graduate school when her youngest child was in fifth grade to become an OT. She graduated in 2008 and since then, has been working at , which is a skilled nursing and rehabilitation facility in Buffalo Grove.  

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Jodi shares, “I became an OT because I wanted a profession that was meaningful where I could make a difference in peoples lives. Occupational therapy is a rewarding profession, which helps people achieve independence, meaning and satisfaction in all aspects of their lives. I studied gerontology as an undergraduate and have always loved working with the older population and becoming an OT was the perfect fit with that interest.” For those interested, according to Webster’s, gerontology is the scientific study of old age, the process of aging and the particular problems of old people.

This event is important to Jodi because it can help older drivers in our community remain safe behind the wheel longer. “CarFit is an important educational event that can help improve older driver safety by ensuring their cars are properly adjusted for them. Age related changes in vision, flexibility, strength, range of motion and even height could make a person less comfortable and reduce control behind the wheel, increasing their risk of an accident.”

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Representatives of AAA and AARP coordinate this event with the , and , which are co-sponsors.

This is the first CarFit event in Buffalo Grove. It will be held on Saturday, May 14. If you know someone or are someone who’d like to make an appointment for a CarFit check up, call 847-850-2117.

Remember, they are checking for a correct fit between driver and car, not an evaluation of driving skill!

As always, email me with any news, topics or ideas that you want to read about. Remember, I’d like to be the first to know! I can be reached at laurenbgpatch@aol.com.

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