You need to have an eye test when you turn 50, 60, 65, and 70. You can complete an eye test at your general practitioner, an optometrist, an ophthalmologist, or by attending an Access Canberra Service Centre. You will need to complete a visual acuity assessment form and submit it to Access Canberra. 

Click “Visit website” to read more about the steps required for eye tests.

If you are 75 years or older, you are required to complete a medical assessment from your doctor each year. You need to have a medical practitioner complete the driver licence medical form, then you need to submit it to Access Canberra by email, post, or fax. 

The driver licence medical form is completed by your medical practitioner and follows guidelines provided by Austroads. It assesses your visual acuity and other medical conditions and medications that may impact your ability to drive safely.  

Click “Visit website” to read more about the steps required for yearly medical assessments.

If you no longer have a driver’s licence, you can obtain a proof of identify card to maintain photo identification. If you are planning to retire from driving, it is useful to obtain a proof of identity card before you no longer have a driver’s licence.  

Click “Visit website” to read more and apply for a proof of identity card.

If you are a permanent resident of Australia, reside in the ACT, are aged 60 years or over, and work less than 20 hours per week in paid employment, you can apply for an ACT Seniors Card. An ACT Seniors Card is free and provides a range of benefits, including concessions on public transport. 

Council on the Ageing (COTA) ACT administers the ACT Seniors Card on behalf of the ACT Government. Click “Visit website” to read more and apply for an ACT Seniors Card.

Making a decision about stopping driving can be difficult. There are a range of things to consider. The University of Wollongong have developed a useful decision aid for older drivers to assist with their decision to drive. The decision aid will help to support informed decisions about your current driving and the decision to retire from driving. It is useful for all older adults who drive, whether you have concerns about your driving or not.  

Click “Visit website” to access the decision aid.

If you are going to drive a vehicle in the ACT, it is important that you have the capacity to drive safely. Fitness to drive refers to your ability to operate a vehicle safely.  

There are certain requirements that you must meet in order to maintain a licence in the ACT. You can read more about these requirements here.  

If you are unsure about your fitness to drive, you should speak to your general practitioner. Your general practitioner may complete a medical assessment of your fitness to drive, or they may refer you to complete a fitness to drive assessment by an occupational therapist or at the Fitness to Drive Medical Clinic. 

The Fitness to Drive Medical Clinic can assess your fitness to drive a vehicle. You may be referred to the clinic by Access Canberra, police, general practitioners and other doctors, nurses, and health care workers.  

A fitness to drive assessment is a free service, you do not need to pay for it.  

Click “Visit website” to read more about the Fitness to Drive Medical Clinic.

Dementia can impact your ability to drive in various ways, including finding your way around, remembering where to turn, judging the distance and speed of other road users, reaction time, and coordination.  

Dementia Australia provide information and resources related to driving. Click “Visit website” to visit the Dementia Australia website.

If you are concerned about your driving, you should discuss with your general practitioner. If you have a diagnosis of dementia, you are required to report this to Access Canberra and to your car insurance company. You will be required to hold a conditional licence if you have a diagnosis of dementia.  

There are a range of medical conditions and medications that can impair your ability to drive safely. If you have a medical condition that can impair your ability to drive, you are required to report this to Access Canberra. If you are unsure if a medical condition can impair your ability to drive, you should discuss this with your general practitioner. If you are starting new medications, check with your general practitioner if it will impact your ability to drive safely.  

Click “Visit website” to read more about reporting medical or health conditions.

Council on the Ageing (COTA) ACT have an excellent resource to assist with getting around Canberra and the ACT. It provides a broad range of information about bus and light rail, community transport, taxi services, driving and other ways of getting around, and useful numbers and websites.  

Click “Visit website” to access the Guide to Getting Around Canberra and the ACT.

Public transport ticketing for buses and light rail in the ACT uses a system called MyWay+. When you travel you can either use a physical MyWay+ card, or a contactless or digital payment option (such as a Mastercard or Visa, or your smartphone).  

Click “Visit website” to read more about tickets for travelling in the ACT.

You can access timetables for the public transport system here.

Transport Canberra also has a journey planner on their homepage. With the journey planner, you can enter your start and end destinations, and the planner will provide the best option for your trip. Access the journey planner here.

If you have a concession card you may be eligible for free or discounted fares when travelling on Transport Canberra bus and light rail services. For example, ACT Seniors over 70 years are eligible for free travel at all times, and those aged 60-69 and working less than 20-hours per week are eligible for free off-peak travel. 

Click “Visit website” to read more about concessions for public transport.

Transport Canberra runs the Flexible Bus Service, which is a bookable transport service for residents with additional needs. You may be eligible to book the Flexible Bus Service if you are over 70 years, have mobility difficulty, or are unable to access regular bus services. The Flexible Bus Service is wheelchair accessible and an accompanying person is also welcome to travel.  

Click “Visit website” to read more about the service and make bookings.

Transport Canberra has a series of tutorial videos which cover a range of topics, including how to register for a concession, how to create a MyWay+ account, and how to order a travel card. 

Click “Visit website” to access the tutorial videos.

You can book a taxi anytime by calling, booking online, or using the ACT Cabs mobile app.  

The ACT Cabs website provides information about how to book, and you can get a fare estimate for trips.  

Click “Visit website” to access the ACT Cabs website.

If you have a severe or profound mobility limitation that prevents you from using public transport, you may be eligible for the taxi subsidy scheme. The taxi subsidy scheme provides financial assistance for ACT residents to make transport more affordable.

Click “Visit website” to read more about the taxi subsidy scheme and access the application form.

Rideshare is an alternative to a taxi. Bookings are made through the rideshare mobile phone app. You can book ahead of time, and the app will give you a fare estimate before you book.  

Rideshare services have a number of safety features designed to keep riders and drivers safe. For example, you can opt to share your location with loved ones while on a trip. Each service will explain what these are on the app and website. 

The below rideshare apps are available in the ACT. Follow the links to download the app, signup, and book a trip.  

Uber

How to use Uber

Uber Senior

Shebah (specifically for women and children)

How to use Shebah

Ola

Ola support

Didi

Didi FAQ

Call a Buddy is an alternative to a Taxi or Rideshare, with the benefit of entry and exit assistance to provide door-to-door transport. The compassionate team is sensitive to the needs of elderly passengers, giving peace of mind to families and friends.  

Click “Visit website” to access Call a Buddy.

The ACT Community Bus is run by ACT’s regional community services. Contact your closest regional community service for information about the service, to register to use the community bus, and to make bookings.  

Click “Visit website” to read more about the Community Bus.

The Capital Region Community Services community transport provide community transport under a range of programs run by the ACT and Federal governments, and to people not part of the programs based on referrals from individuals or service providers.  

Click “Visit website” to read more about the Capital Region Community Services community transport.

As you transition away from driving, you will likely find yourself walking more. Below are some tips to help keep you safer when you are crossing the road.  

• Use safe places to cross the road. You should look for where there is safe pedestrian infrastructure such as traffic lights, pedestrian crossings, and refuge islands. 

• Consider the time it will take you to cross the road, with declining mobility it can take longer to cross than it used to.  

• Don’t assume that the driver has seen you. Make eye contact with the driver and wait until they have stopped completely before stepping out onto the road.  

• Wear bright colours as this will increase your visibility to drivers. 

• Always look both ways before crossing. Make sure you are checking for vehicles that may be behind you. 

• Avoid distractions, such as being on your phone. 

Walking or cycling are great ways to stay active while making your way around. Transport Canberra provide a range of information that can help you to plan your active transport trips around Canberra, including walking and cycling maps that outline shared use paths around the city.

Click “Visit website” to read more about walking and cycling in Canberra.

Major supermarkets provide home delivery services for groceries for a minimal fee. You can add items to your cart, save orders, and choose when groceries are delivered via the website or app. For more information about how home delivery works for each supermarket, use the below links.   

Woolworths https://www.woolworths.com.au/shop/services/delivery 

Coles https://www.coles.com.au/ways-to-shop/delivery

IGA https://www.igashop.com.au/how-online-shopping-works

If you only need a few groceries quickly, or if you need restaurant food home delivered, you can use a range of other delivery services for this. While using these services can be slightly more expensive, they offer convenience as they are able to deliver items very quickly. Orders are made through the mobile phone application, and there are a number of companies to choose from. The below delivery apps are available in the ACT. Follow the links to download the app, signup, and place an order: 

Uber Eats https://www.ubereats.com/au

DoorDash https://www.doordash.com/en-AU/

Meals on Wheels is an essential service that delivers nutritious meals to those unable to cook or shop for themselves, or living with an illness or disability, allowing older Australians to live in their homes where they are often happiest. Meals are provided at production cost, ensuring affordability. 

Click “Visit website” to find out more and sign up to Meals on Wheels.

The Australian Red Cross Delivered Meals provides home delivered meals to ACT residents who are registered with My Aged Care. 

Click “Visit website” to read more and register for home delivered meals.

My Aged Care operates the Commonwealth Home Support Program, which can provide a range of supports to people who are eligible. To be eligible, you must be 65 years or older, 50 years or older and an Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander, or 50 years or older and homeless or at risk of homelessness.  

A range of services can be provided as part of the Commonwealth Home Support Program. Some relevant services for those considering retirement from driving include: 

• Meals 

• Nursing care 

• Allied health and therapy 

• Transport 

• Social support and community engagement 

Click “Visit website” to read more about My Aged Care.

The Capital Region Community Services offer a range of options to support seniors, including home care packages to support independent living and social groups to support community connection.

Click “Visit website” to read more about what is available.

It is often possible (and more convenient) to have appointments online or over the phone (i.e., telehealth). These services are often available as part of ‘after hours services’ or through your GP. The Capital Health Network provides information about a range of these services

National Home Doctor Service (13SICK) 

The National Home Doctor Service operates after-hours care by licensed Australian doctors. Appointments are bulk-billed and both home-visits and telehealth options are available.  

Contact the service by calling 13 74 25 or visiting their website at https://13sick.com.au/locations/canberra/

HealthDirect 

HealthDirect offers free, trusted health information and advice from Registered Nurses to assist people to seek help. Virtual GP appointments are also available through HealthDirect.  

Contact HealthDirect by calling 1800 022 222 or visit their website at https://www.healthdirect.gov.au

Live Up is a service funded by Department of Health, Disability and Ageing. It has lots of tips and ideas about healthy aging, including staying physically active and social: https://www.liveup.org.au/ 

Health Direct is a government funded service that provides health information and advice. The article on mental health in older Australians has a symptom checkers: https://www.healthdirect.gov.au/older-people-and-mental-health  

The Black Dog Institute has a fact sheet about depression in older people here: https://www.blackdoginstitute.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2022/06/Depression-in-older-people.pdf 

Planning for wellbeing is important. There are a range of tools you can use. We recommend this self-care planning tool from The Black Dog Institute

There are many online resources that can assist in practicing mindfulness in everyday life. Mindfulness is a skill that can help develop relaxation, self-compassion, manage pain, sharpen your thinking, and increase your sense of vitality. There are lots of great resources available, see what works for you.  

Some people find the following helpful: 

• Russ Harris, The Sushi Train: a reminder that just because a thought shows up, it doesn’t mean it’s true, it’s important, or you need to do anything about it.

• Tara Brach, Guided Meditation Body Scan: Tara Brach is a popular teacher of Buddhist meditation.

• Insight Timer: a large range of audio and video guides for a range of topics: sleep, self-compassion, relaxation, etc. It has free and paid versions. 

• If you prefer to read about mindfulness, The Black Dog Institute has a great fact sheet.

Your GP will assess your needs and may provide a referral to specialists like psychologists, called a Mental Health Care Plan. This can cover up to 10 individual/group sessions per calendar year with Medicare rebates (some practitioners may charge a gap fee).

Canberra Health Services website has a list of mental health services available to residents of the ACT.

Click “Visit website” to see the list.

If you would like to talk with a psychologist there are a number of ways to find one:  

• The Australian Psychological Society has a “Find a Psychologist service”: https://psychology.org.au/find-a-psychologist  

• The Australian Association of Psychologists has a similar service: https://www.aapi.org.au/Web/Shared_Content/Smart-Suite/Smart-Maps/Public/Find-a-Psychologist.aspx  

• Your GP may be able to assist in providing referrals 

• Many psychologists will have their own websites 

Occupational therapists assist people in enhancing independence, safety, and quality of life and can assist with practical skills for accessing daily needs and the community. Occupational Therapy Australia has a Find an OT Service, or your GP may be able to assist.  

• Wellbeing is about more than coping with stress, it also includes doing what makes life fun and meaningful. There are many ways to access these things. 

• Local community organisations based on interest, age, culture or religious affiliation can be wonderful sources of community connection and fun.  

• Organisations such as Council on the Aging ACT (COTA ACT) may be able to assist.

• There are a range of Seniors Groups that operate throughout the ACT that could help stay connected to the community. Read about Seniors Groups here: https://communityservices1.org/seniors-groups/