Aged Care Insite Issue 92 | December 2015 - January 2016 | Page 10

news QBE: tag, monitor senior drivers Reports of deaths on Victorian roads prompt insurer to renew push for ‘S-plates’. A leading insurer has renewed calls for so-called S-plates for senior drivers, amid fresh data indicating about 50 older Victorians died behind the wheel in 2013 and 2014. The reported figures suggest the drivers – all between the ages of 49 and 85 – died while driving and with their “feet still on the pedal”. And in 2015, so far, the number of drivers over the age of 49 who have died on the state’s roads is 87, the latest data from the Victorian Transport and Accident Commission has indicated. The numbers prompted QBE Insurance to make fresh calls for ‘S-plates’ for senior Natural high for all Young and old enjoy Laughter Garden, which brings together art, wildlife and familiar settings for residents. A dementia-friendly garden has opened to residents at the IRT Sarah Claydon Care Centre. The space, dubbed The Laughter Garden, resembles an Australian backyard and streetscape and aims to provide a familiar environment for residents. 10 agedcareinsite.com.au IRT area manager Southern Shoalhaven, Cheree Howe, said: “The garden provides activity areas as well as a walking track for discovery and exploring. Along the way are a bus shelter, clothesline, outdoor washing-up area and undercover seating. There is even a stylised creek, plus statues of Australian wildlife.” The $120,000 expansion and upgrade of the garden was designed by IRT in collaboration with the Dementia Training Study Centre at the University of Wollongong. Staff and students from drivers. Company spokesman Frank Peppard told News Ltd that an opt-in model might help maintain mobility for older Australians while making roads safer. Under the scheme QBE reportedly touted, at-risk seniors seeking to retain their driving licences would have electronic data recording devices installed in their cars. QBE said such a system could be used to restrict the times senior motorists were able to drive and even limit them to specific areas. “This will save lives,” Peppard told News. “Older people should not fear this; it’s to offer them greater options to retain mobility while providing a safety net for the community.” VicRoads, which requires every driver over the age of 75 to renew their licence every three years and report any medical condition that affects their ability to drive safely, has not supported such a scheme. Previous calls for similar programs led to concerns from senior Australians and advocacy groups that some drivers would be “tagged and harassed”. In 2008, Combined Pensioners and Superannuants Association policy co-ordinator Paul Versteege told Fairfax Media: “²‘S’ plates will give rise to harassment if elderly drivers are marked out … It will lead to an increase of targeted road rage incidents.” ■ Ulladulla High School attended the opening ceremony after painting a wall mural for the garden courtyard. Sarah Claydon manager Frances Muir said the art was added to entice residents into the garden area. “As part of their curriculum, the [students] researched dementia, including the kinds of colours and artwork that would be suitable.” She added H