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I work for a company that wants to do some charitable mobility work in the community. I am trying to find out where the most need is so that the program can be successful for both the company and the community as a whole. It would be a door through door service with wheelchair accessible vehicles. We are looking for people that would need help out of their house and into the doctors office. I have called the Department of Aging, the regional Medicare office as well as the Senior Centers in the area and no one seems to have any real information about underserved areas.
Thank you for your time.

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I think the real problem is that the need is ubiquitous. It is not clustered in one location. A person needing dialysis may be the only one within a three mile radius, but the need still exists. Not being able to drive occurs in low-income areas and in affluent suburbs. Maybe neighborhoods with lots of elders would have higher needs than neighborhoods with lots of young families, but there are elders in all neighborhoods. There are wheel-chair bound people in all age groups and in all neighborhoods.

I understand the marketing need to find concentrations of potential customers, but I think the potential customer base is more spread out than concentrated.
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Check with some of the churches in the area, I be they would be more knowledgeable on the demographics for such a great community service.
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We are outside the local bus system, which also offers free van transport for handicapped folks. Instead, a non-profit organization offers free transportation, as well as other services. It's a wonderful organization, and they may offer some tips. https://foothillscaringcorps.com/get-help/
Blessings,
Jamie
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I can understand that large agencies wouldn't be in touch with the needs of local seniors, but I'm a bit surprised that Senior Centers would have some knowledge of who needs help. If they have Meals on Wheels programs, the volunteers who deliver would know better who is homebound and might need assistance.

You might also consider reaching out to local VA hospitals and clinics, geriatric physicians, to home health care agencies, to private duty companies as well as to hospitals and rehab facilities. They would likely be in direct contact with people who could use transportation assistance.

I don't want to be a naysayer, but my first thought was liability if any of your passengers are injured during entry, transit and/or exit. Have your drivers been trained in proper use of the wheelchair lift and/or assisting people who would need wheelchair transit?
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Another thought is outpatient surgery facilities. When I was told I need cataract surgery, my first thought was how to get to the outpatient facility and how to get back home, since I'm not sure I'm comfortable with only one eye working.

The cost would be $40 each way. I decided I need to find a better solution.
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Local home care agencies, meals on wheels and adult day care are all in touch with the community and may have ideas. Or take out an ad and ask for direct community feedback through phone & email links.
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Thinking that when people are in rehab facilities, NH, Assisted living, and Memory Care they must go to the doctors to follow-up after release from the hospital. Often, they pay with their own funds. The families are hard pressed to transport because some patients are flat on their backs and immobile. Paying $100 or more!

There is a need.
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Correction in my first answer: should have read "I'm a bit surprised that Senior Centers DO NOT have some knowledge of who needs help. ..."
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Indeed a generous community contribution

Depending on resources your organization is able to commit you might be able to find concentration through an outpatient surgical center or dialysis center as mentioned above

A local chamber of commerce may also have suggestions for you

The need is great but as Jeanne mentioned not all underserved populations are concentrated

It may take some additional networking to tap a good referral source
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Underserved is the population who cannot plan too far ahead to get on the Senior Transport buses, then wait up to an hour to be picked up or ride around town for an hour + dropping other seniors off, often missing their own appointment.

Example, a senior has taken the regular bus to the doctor's office, and lost resources or energy to return home.  Leaving the doctor's office, there goes an empty Senior transport bus, but senior doesn't have a ride scheduled and is not allowed.

.
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