Hamilton Insurance Group - August 2019

take a friend for a spin and ask for their honest opinion. Love at First Drive Humans are emotional animals, and if your car holds a special place in your heart, you’re not the only one to fall for an inanimate object. In 2008, one woman even went so far as to marry the Eiffel tower. Consider whether memories made in your car are the reason you’re still driving, and if they are, maybe keep the car but give up the keys. Money, Money, Money According to a recent AAA study, older drivers tend to put fewer miles on their cars, but that doesn’t correlate to lower crash rates. In fact, seniors who drove less than 3,000 miles per year actually had higher crash rates Pritchard, Bill Bell, and Barney McCallum — who needed to come up with something to keep the little ones entertained and out of their hair. Soon, however, it became popular among the adults, and they ended up spending more time on the court than their children. “Frankly,” McCallum says, “the kids got pushed out.” Since its early days, pickleball has transformed from an ad-hoc game to a full-fledged sport, complete with official rules, equipment, and leagues. Despite the more formal structure in place today, pickleball is incredibly easy to pick up and play. Investing in some paddles and balls won’t cost more than $100, and you can easily convert a tennis or badminton court for pickleball. One of the appeals of pickleball for older adults is that it is not excessively strenuous. It also doesn’t have the steep learning curve and high barrier to entry that

per mile than those who drove more. Crashes lead to expensive insurance premiums and pricey doctor bills, so you could save by driving less. Selling your car could also pad your retirement fund. If you’re concerned about your performance behind the wheel but can’t bring yourself to give up the car, don’t worry — there are steps you can take to scale back, like avoiding driving at night and sticking to familiar roads. In a pinch, services like Uber, Lyft, and DoorDash have your back. Whichever move you make, remember that, at the end of the day, this tough decision should come down to not only what’s best for you, but also what’s safest for everyone on the road. sports like tennis or golf do. Due to the nature of a pickleball, which contains strategically placed holes similar to those of a whiffle ball, the game is much more about finesse than pure power or athleticism. While you can definitely hone your skills with practice, you’ll start having fun from day one. In addition to being a fun form of exercise, pickleball also offers older adults the chance to socialize with their peers. Leagues often lead to long-term friendships. Courts are small, and each game consists of only four players, making it easy to engage in some casual conversation or playful, competitive banter between points. If you’ve never picked up a paddle, consider joining a league or buying a set for your next family outing. You can introduce your grandkids to a fun new sport — and then school them for the bulk of an afternoon.

You’ve probably heard of pickleball, especially given its rising popularity in the United States and Canada, but you may be wondering what the big deal is about this relatively new fad. Pickleball is an awesome, low- impact sport that people of all ages can enjoy. It’s great exercise and great fun, and it’s the perfect game for family get-togethers. Pickleball originated on Bainbridge Island, Washington, in 1965. It was the creation of three fathers — Joel

To Drive or Not to Drive?

With the image of 97-year-old Prince Phillip whizzing across the English countryside without a seatbelt, you might be wondering at what age you should hang up your car keys for good. If you’re considering giving up driving, here are a few things to think about before you boot your wheels. A Hard Road One of the biggest indicators that it’s time to leave the road is having difficulty driving. If you’re finding it hard to stay in your lane, see surrounding cars and road signs, or make turns, then you’re right to think about becoming a permanent passenger. However, if you aren’t having trouble getting from point A to point B, you likely have years to go behind the wheel. If you’re unsure about the quality of your driving, A Senior’s Dilemma

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