Save
$712
when you use your
AMA membership to
take advantage of the
discounts highlighted
in this article
More
suPPort
HelP for
tHe road
aHe ad
otheR wAy s
to g et ARound
youR town
RetiRing fRom dRiving doesn’t have
to mean losing your independence.
Ease your transition by becoming
familiar with the alternative transpor-
tation options in your community.
Public tr a nsit
Riding the bus is a safe, convenient
and environmentally friendly way to
get around in most of Alberta’s larger
cities—provided you know your routes
and schedules. Before you stop driving,
start learning how to get to your primary
destinations, like your doctor’s office,
community centre and grocery store.
Fares are often discounted for seniors
(an annual pass in Calgary, for example,
is just $135), and additional services
exist for seniors with more serious
mobility challenges.
Volunteer driV ers
Organizations in Edmonton, Calgary,
Red Deer and some smaller cities have
The LeClerc family
pre-vetted volunteer drivers to escort
seniors to medical and other appoint-
ments. Advance booking is usually
required, and you ride in volunteers’
own vehicles. To learn the ropes,
consider offering your own services
while you’re still behind the wheel.
ama.ab.ca/DrivingAngels
PriVate tr a nsPortation
Get to know taxi companies and other
private transport services that operate
in your area. Driving Miss Daisy is one
such outfit—and it’s specifically for
seniors, to boot! Many taxi operators
also offer senior discounts.
carPooling
It may require extra planning and coor-
dination, but hitching an occasional
ride with family members or friends
can be another way to get around town.
Walking
This isn’t an option for everyone, but as
urban planners and politicians increas-
ingly recognize the need for walkability
in Alberta communities, you may find
main routes retrofitted with wider
sidewalks, safer pedestrian crossings
and better signage to make running
errands and general ambling easier.
AMA RewARds
pARtneRs help
you sAve on
youR dRiving
jouRney
• Don’t let hearing
impairment cause you
to miss other vehicles’
aural cues. Book a free
Connect Hearing appoint-
ment to determine your
needs. AMA members
get exclusive savings,
including up to 15% off
hearing aids and five
years of free batteries
with a hearing aid pur-
chase. That can mean
up to $600 in savings
on a $4,000 set of
hearing aids.
• An up-to-date eyewear
prescription is essential
for safe driving. Need new
specs? It’s easy to see
clearly with member
savings of 30% on glasses
at LensCrafters. That’s
$90 off a $300 purchase.
• At Medicentres, AMA
members get 15% off
select uninsured services.
For instance, you can
save $9.75 on disability
placard application
completion.
AMARewards.ca
AMA InsIder
Fall 2017
47