Home Supervisor Senior Center Transportation Program
Many of our communities’ older adults are unable to access transportation for several reasons. Some can no longer drive safely. Others can no longer afford to maintain a car and pay for insurance. Sometimes the person is temporarily unable to drive due to surgery or illness. Whatever the reason, losing the ability to drive becomes a barrier to receiving vital services such as going to doctors and shopping for medicines and food. Day to day activities normally managed on their own, like going to a doctor or grocery shopping all become impossible. This leads to isolation, depression and an overall decline in health and quality of life.
In order to keep our senior clients independent and in their own homes, Senior Services manages a Transportation Program, to assist those who are 60 plus. A large database of volunteers drive their personal vehicles as they transport seniors to doctor visits, dialysis, therapy, shopping for groceries and prescriptions, appointments in order to access benefits, legal, banking or getting their taxes done, as well as other necessary trips, are accommodated according to availability. Seniors who requiring trips like dialysis, therapy and grocery shopping which are considered ongoing, are welcome to schedule them as such, depending on volunteer availability. Our coordinator checks in periodically to assure that the schedule is working well for both parties. Because the majority of our volunteers are seniors themselves, for safety reasons, we are not able to transport those individuals who depend on a wheelchair, but we are happy to help those who utilize walkers or canes.
We are determined to eliminate the barriers that keep seniors and disabled people from accessing reliable, affordable transportation in order for them to receive crucial services, friendship, and having some measure of independence and dignity.
Please contact Senior Services Transportation Coordinator, Christy Strissel, at 815-344-3555 for more information on our program that serves McHenry County residents.