plus mileage?? I don't know how they think senior can afford that. I can see she's getting depressed because she can't get there and enjoy her social time. she's 87 and no longer drives
1. Your profile doesn't state where you are, such as in a small town, or metropolitan area. So check with your city or town, or the nearest largest community, for a public transit system. Ask if they have door-to-door service. It can be called by various titles - dial-a-ride, small bus, connector...varies by transit service.
These are nominally priced and do provided door to door service.
2. Contact your local senior center and ask if they have any transit services for seniors; sometimes they're limited to transit for medical appointments, however, although swimming is certainly a healthy exercise.
Even a taxi would be cheaper than that, I would assume. However, someone might be willing to drive her privately for free or for a minimal price (does anyone in the class live nearby?).
Look up timebanks It's a wonderful barter system that is all over the country. I was in the same position as you and tried all kinds of things to get out of spending my working time driving Mom around. There were people in her class that helped her, and I got the timebank member to drive her too. You can look for a time bank organization in your area. There are usually people who like to do things for the elderly. You can choose what kind of things you'd like to offer others. I have benefited so many times from our timebank in Portland, Maine and also in the Boston area.
The other thing I did was go to the class with her, or take her to the class and go somewhere else for some quality ME time: a walk in the woods, or do an errand. Her class was at the senior center so it turned out she liked to be there much longer than I wanted to spend there so I dropped her off and she would find a ride home. Sometimes she'd call me if she got stuck and I'd pick her up then.
It was a real struggle for me to be her driver for years without pay. She'd be mean to me because she believed that because I was her daughter I should obey her every wish. It was a battle to pay me even for gas. I finally said I am NOT doing this at all. She moved to a place where there were activities in place. Now things are much better. Good luck!!!
I had that problem in Des Moines, Iowa It was $35 each way whether 2 blocks or ... Miles! Taxi wasn't an option because of liability for the assisted living where they lived. (They lived on Woodland and the store was on Ingersoll) I tried nearby churches and senior center. Liability was the issue. If they were in Independent living the options were better. So, try with the swimming/exercise group. Area on Aging. Area Transit. Churches. Perhaps the food bank because they are often supported by volunteer agencies which thrive on helping others (there might be someone you could pay at a reasonable rate) or Meals on wheels (they already have volunteer drivers
Also if your mother lives in a senior housing place there are small shuttle buses that can take her to senior classes in that town. The biggest lesson I had to learn was boundaries. My mother had none.
Your local Area Agency on Aging or even senior commission should be able to help. Many areas have a senior van for people who don't need help and a paratransit bus for those in wheel chairs. These aren't generally free but hey wouldn't have a required amount of travel.
Try looking into your community resources by going to aging.gov and then finding your state. From their you'll find the links to resources.
Another thought: if you cater to your mother, she might not bother to befriend others that could take the load off of your shoulders. Back off and you might find her reaching out to those people in her class.
In many areas care.com has many people who post their services for elderly, childcare, and pet care. They are generally individuals who charge reasonable rates and are more flexible. There are also options for background checks, and many already have one completed.
Depending on where you live there may be volunteer drivers available through local service clubs etc. In our area there is a small fee to cover costs based on mileage.
I'm from Texas and we have a company called Uber, its great. They have really but a dent in the cab industry, you down load it on your phone and can see who is available in your area, its individuals that are available to hire at a much lower cost than a cab. I have a handy capped friend that uses it alot
It's important to note that the drivers are independent contractors, not employees, of Uber, and that there are strong provisions to protect Uber from liability for actions of drivers.
Gardenartist- Thank you for the information, I have never used the service and never thought about that, I appreciate the info and will bring that to my friends attention he is handy capped so would be a target I wish I could delete my answer
Aveeno, I'm sorry if I made you feel uncomfortable; that wasn't my intention. The concept sounds great, but sometimes the implementation tends to focus on liability or, in the case of some of the few unreliable drivers, exploitation.
Actually, I'm glad you posted on it because your raised an issue of which others can now be aware. So perhaps it's a good thing you can't delete your answer as it can serve as a good impression for something that unfortunately has some down sides.
Look at it this way - your post alerted me to the possibility of using Uber, and now people are warned. I never would have thought of suggesting it, so you did the Forum and me a favor!
Do you live in an area with an aging in place village or do you belling to a church with volunteers? These can find volunteers drivers. It is hard to grasp that providing services to seniors is expensive. Stringent local licensing. High cost insurance and background checks drive up the cost of services for seniors.
Uber could be a great alternative if you live in a large city. I use it all the time and always be satisfied and more. But can your parents use the Uber app themselves or would you have to use it for them. One major advantage is that you don't have to use cash and you add the tip on the credit care as well. Perhaps you could take an Uber ride with them to show them how it works.
Senior care is a business for many. A three hour minimum is common. Thus you need to find someone who needs a little money on the side and is reliable.
contact your local office of aging, they should have a list of providers for care that can offer you what you need. I know that some do require a minimum of 3 hours but there are others ones out there that can for what you need.
My friend who lives in a rural area has a very supportive neighborhood network set up for her mother so she can stay home when she is traveling with her husband. If your mother has local friends who still drive or reliable neighbors who are available during the day, perhaps you can ask them if they would be interested and offer them some cash to cover the expense. I think it is important to ensure you are working with reliable people, especially if your parent had dementia. My parent could no more use the public transportation system or locally available handicapped transportation on his own because he can't figure it out.
I got "visiting angels" to come to my moms 3 days a week for one hour each day. It does cost $27 for each day, but my need is just for a couple weeks. I'm so relieved that someone will be checking on her. I'm going on a well deserved vacation!
Check out GoGoGrandparent - it's an automated hotline that let's folks use Uber and Lyft without a smartphone. It worked pretty well for my grandma after she fell, she couldn't drive. She's been using it regularly to get to class, the hair salon, etc ever since.
These are nominally priced and do provided door to door service.
2. Contact your local senior center and ask if they have any transit services for seniors; sometimes they're limited to transit for medical appointments, however, although swimming is certainly a healthy exercise.
http://www.aoa.gov/AoA_programs/OAA/How_To_Find/Agencies/find_agencies.aspx
The other thing I did was go to the class with her, or take her to the class and go somewhere else for some quality ME time: a walk in the woods, or do an errand.
Her class was at the senior center so it turned out she liked to be there much longer than I wanted to spend there so I dropped her off and she would find a ride home. Sometimes she'd call me if she got stuck and I'd pick her up then.
It was a real struggle for me to be her driver for years without pay. She'd be mean to me because she believed that because I was her daughter I should obey her every wish. It was a battle to pay me even for gas. I finally said I am NOT doing this at all. She moved to a place where there were activities in place. Now things are much better. Good luck!!!
It was $35 each way whether 2 blocks or ... Miles!
Taxi wasn't an option because of liability for the assisted living where they lived. (They lived on Woodland and the store was on Ingersoll)
I tried nearby churches and senior center. Liability was the issue. If they were in Independent living the options were better. So, try with the swimming/exercise group. Area on Aging. Area Transit. Churches. Perhaps the food bank because they are often supported by volunteer agencies which thrive on helping others (there might be someone you could pay at a reasonable rate) or Meals on wheels (they already have volunteer drivers
Try looking into your community resources by going to aging.gov and then finding your state. From their you'll find the links to resources.
I hope that you find something,
Carol
This article addresses an assault as well as other incidents of violence that have occurred through Uber.
cnet/news/how-risky-is-your-uber-ride-maybe-more-than-you-think/
It's important to note that the drivers are independent contractors, not employees, of Uber, and that there are strong provisions to protect Uber from liability for actions of drivers.
Actually, I'm glad you posted on it because your raised an issue of which others can now be aware. So perhaps it's a good thing you can't delete your answer as it can serve as a good impression for something that unfortunately has some down sides.
Look at it this way - your post alerted me to the possibility of using Uber, and now people are warned. I never would have thought of suggesting it, so you did the Forum and me a favor!
It is hard to grasp that providing services to seniors is expensive. Stringent local licensing. High cost insurance and background checks drive up the cost of services for seniors.