Accompanied transportation for seniors: on the road again
By Annette Sandler
Going to the doctor is not always so easy when you’re a senior.
Maybe it is getting more difficult to drive around town in busy traffic, park the car and walk several blocks to the doctor’s office. Maybe you get anxious waiting for your appointments when you are all alone.
Jewish Family and Children’s Service of Minneapolis has the solution for you to be on the road again.
The agency’s new Accompanied Transportation Services will pick you up at your home, drive you to your medical appointment, walk with you to the office, stay with you for the appointment and then drive you home again.
Transportation is provided by reliable trained staff and volunteers, and the program serves the greater Minneapolis area with some geographic restrictions.
Most seniors say that transportation is the key to their independence. But there is a larger picture to consider. Transportation is not just driving a car. There are many more options to get you where you need to be. This transportation program allows seniors to remain independent. Seniors can make their own doctor’s appointments, schedule their own rides and feel confident that they can get to their appointments safely and on time.
It can be difficult for a person to decide to stop driving. But for those over age 85, studies show that 90% have vision or hearing loss, and almost a third have dementia from either Alzheimer’s or a stroke. Most have arthritis and diminished mobility in their legs. These are not good signs for continuing to drive.
People may think that it is too expensive to use a program that does not involve driving their own car. To alleviate this issue, JFCS’s Accompanied Transportation Services program is available on a sliding fee scale.
When considering whether to use this service, people should also remember the high cost of owning a car, insurance, upkeep, maintenance and escalating gasoline costs. In addition, there may be serious and unintended costs associated with accidents, auto repair and possible medical needs.
To participate in this program one must be 60 years or older. No oxygen tanks, wheelchairs or pets are allowed, and people need to be able to get in and out of the car independently. Service dogs are allowed.
For people who do not drive but do not need accompanied service, JFCS also provides the Deikel Transportation Program, which offers unaccompanied curb-to-curb service to the doctor, hairdresser, bank, visiting the Sabes JCC, etc. Return service is also available.
For information, call JFCS at 952-546-0616. To see a video on the agency’s transportation services, go to www.jfcsmpls.org, click on Seniors and then Deikel Transportation Services.
* * *
Annette Sandler is Supervisor of L’Chaim Senior Services and the Nurturing Our Retired Citizens (NORC) Program at JFCS.
Proudly meets or exceeds all standards.
