The pandemic has presented transportation challenges to older adults with underlying health conditions.
Now that physicians are opening their offices for in-person appointments and hospitals are recommencing routine procedures, seniors’ transportation remains an unresolved issue. For older adults that do not hold a driving license, getting around could be even more difficult than it was before the public health emergency.
Alternatives to private car ownership do exist, including volunteer driving programs, public transit, and HandiDART; however, they’re less available and accessible than prior to COVID-19 for a variety of reasons.
One community player that has taken action to fill the gap is Modo Cooperative. Following the protocols issued by Vancouver Coastal Health for passenger transportation safety, Modo has outfitted a Toyota Sienna with a plastic partition between the driver’s cabin and the passenger area. Senior-serving agencies that are Modo members can book the vehicle and assign staff or volunteers as designated drivers to use the vehicle and help seniors get to their medical appointments.
This partnership came about through the Safe Seniors, Strong Communities program, an initiative of BC Ministry of Health, the Office of the Seniors Advocate and the United Way. Through this program, senior-serving agencies have supported older adults by making deliveries of groceries, prepared meals and prescription medications.
In some cases, drivers made trips to the laundromat, so seniors didn’t have to leave the house.
As the BC Restart Plan goes into Phase Three, we expect that neighbourhood houses, community centres and senior-serving agencies will soon be opening their doors and resuming regular programming. This will create opportunities for seniors who have been socially isolated to get out of the house and participate in community life.
However, transportation services that allows older adults who cannot drive or use public transit remains a challenge.
Are you interested in helping with seniors’ transportation issues? If you are a Modo member, or have your own car, and you would be willing to serve as a volunteer driver, please follow this link to get connected with senior-serving agencies in your area.
