PERHAPS the three most important requirements for independence in old age are remaining physically fit, being able to drive and the ability to use a computer.

It is not always necessary to join an expensive gym for accessing complicated hardware for body activities; it can be more easily achieved by walking, swimming, and just keeping the body muscles, joints and bones moving and working.

Some councils provide simple exercise facilities at a community setting as a part of their comprehensive public health provisions. I feel that if the provision of children’s playgrounds and parks are maintained and provided, simple exercise facilities should also be provided. Some support the provision of bowling greens used mostly by pensioners.

Before I talk about driving, let me spend a little time on computers. These machines are fairly new to many aged 65 and over. Children of today learn their computing, internet use, etc at a very early age from their junior school stage. The seniors never had this opportunity as in their young age computers were not available, nor were as were not the mobile phones, tablets or smart TVs.

This technological revolution only occurred from late sixties. Some did learn as part of their job, but many neither had the opportunity nor the desire.

I believe that this inability of computer usage causes a significant handicap for some elders and this can easily be rectified.

Many age charities provide free training at local centres to narrow the generation gap. Schools can also request some sixth formers to train their elderly neighbours at home, should they so desire. Computers have become a lot cheaper and often companies dispose of their old computers in favour of newer models. Such ‘used’ machines can be obtained quite cheaply.

Usage of computers would enrich lives. Communications, banking, online shopping, purchasing travel tickets, etc, should be of great help to many housebound, disabled and physically infirm individuals. If nothing else, they would be able to contact their relations residing elsewhere, even abroad. Skype, WhatsApp, etc, can also facilitate video chat — totally free.

Some pensioners are scared of computers. There is no need to be. It can be learnt in a few weeks’ practise at home !!

Now let me talk about driving in old age. Some keep on barking against this. They argue that the elderly drivers are dangerous and a menace on our roads and they should be banned from driving altogether.

The actual statistics tell us a different story. Most serious accidents are caused by young, rash drivers who drive too fast, jump traffic lights and often hold mobile phones whilst driving. The seniors, in general, drive much more carefully and within their own limits; avoiding difficult roundabouts or the peak hours. Driving can be very necessary for contacts, communications and simple survival.

Will those individuals come forward to ferry their elderly neighbours for shopping, visiting doctors or relations in their own cars?

If the elderly do keep on driving, the society ought to cooperate too. For example the blue badge disabled parking abuse. How often do we notice cars without such permits are parked in disabled parking bays? The other day I was visiting a health centre in Bolton for a medical appointment. All the spaces in the disabled bay were occupied and I, a holder of such a badge, wanted to walk in front of those cars to see if all had blue badges on display.

Surprise surprise, there was one without such a badge. As a good citizen, I thought I should report this to the officials at the desk and the answer was even more shocking. “Sorry, we can’t do anything — there are no regulations which can stop people from parking anywhere they like”.

I was perhaps okay, but many elderly do need to park as close as possible to the entrance and no one bothers to regulate this. Who is responsible for policing the use or abuse of the blue badge in our public places?

To return to the topic, driving must be encouraged to continue as long as the driver is considered fit as determined by the DVLA and insurance companies.

All older people ought to remain fit and active enjoying their later years to the fullest without depending on others.