As adults get older, it often becomes more difficult for many of them to travel to different places for their basic needs. Fortunately, Shepherd’s Center of Northern Virginia (SCNOVA) provides two types of transportation services for senior citizens. Here is a close look at these services.
Senior Citizen Transportation
SCNOVA provides two distinct transportation services to meet the diverse needs of senior citizens.
Medical Transportation
The first service focuses on medical transportation, where dedicated volunteers ensure clients reach their medical appointments, including therapy sessions. It is essential to notify drivers at least four business days in advance for this service, although ride availability is not guaranteed.
Companion Transportation
SCNOVA additionally offers companion transportation as the second service. Volunteers accompany clients to various destinations such as grocery stores, pharmacies, banks, libraries, and other nearby locations. This service extends to social meetings and educational functions. Similar to medical transportation, a minimum notice of four business days is required, and the availability of rides is not guaranteed. This comprehensive approach ensures both medical and non-medical transportation needs are addressed for senior citizens.
Benefits of Transportation Service
These services can be especially beneficial to adults who no longer drive due to financial or health-related reasons. More specifically, here are four notable benefits of transportation services for older adults:
Sense of Independence & Freedom
If a senior citizen knows they have someone to take them to their desired destination, they will likely have a greater sense of independence and freedom. This helps with improving their overall quality of life.
Improved Health
It’s important for everyone to stay active, but seniors can especially benefit from regular exercise, and getting out of the house can sometimes be just enough to improve their physical health. Going out to see friends, family, or even attend a class or information session can also improve their mental health and prevent feelings of depression and loneliness.
Safety
It can be extremely unsafe for a senior to drive if they have poor vision or hearing, for both them and other drivers on the road. Volunteers who are capable of safely operating a vehicle are able to assist seniors with getting around.
Alternative to Help from Family
If a senior’s primary caregiver is a relative, transportation services can also offer this individual a respite from taking their family member to multiple destinations. Caregivers can enjoy peace of mind knowing that their loved one is being taken care of.
Get Senior Citizen Transportation Services from SCNOVA
Contact Shepherd’s Center for more information about our transportation services for seniors. We are a nonprofit that has been dedicated to assisting adults in Northern Virginia ages 50 and up since 1998. Our more than 250 volunteers are vetted and trained to assist our clients in improving their quality of life and preventing them from becoming lonely.
Call SCNOVA today at (703) 260-9568 or contact us to learn more about our transportation services.