Car Fit coming to Elizabethton in October

By Ashley Rader

A program developed to adapt elderly citizens to their vehicles is coming to Elizabethton.

The SALT Council, which stands for Seniors and Law Enforcement Together, will sponsor Car Fit on Oct. 5 at the Elizabethton Senior Citizens Center from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Council members finalized their plans for the event on Wednesday afternoon. It will be the first time Car Fit has been held in Carter County. The organization and Milligan College students will help elderly citizens adapt to their vehicles. During Car Fit, which was developed by the AAA and the AARP, mirrors, steering wheels and seats are adjusted to the proper position, drivers learn how to position their feet on the pedals and a variety of other common issues are discussed.

According to AAA and the AARP, older drivers are often the safest drivers in that they are more likely to wear their seat belts and less likely to speed or drink and drive. However, the two organizations say older drivers are more likely to be killed or seriously injured when a crash does occur due to the greater fragility of their aging bodies.

The SALT Council plans to give the first 10 participants a gift card. Light refreshments will also be available.

Later this month, the council will hold its annual Health and Safety Fair. About 36 booths will fill the Carter County Health Department on Sept. 25 from 10 a.m. to noon.

Sycamore Shoals Hospital and Mountain States Health Alliance, the University of Tennessee Extension, several senior citizens residences, East Tennessee State University and others will be on hand to assist local elderly residents. A variety of health issues, such as diabetes and allergies, are featured at the health fair.