As the nation’s aging population continues to rise – with one in every five Americans expected to be 65 or older by 2020 – safe and accessible transportation for seniors, their caregivers and their communities is vital. However, a critical lack of volunteers threatens a crucial local initiative that provides this service.

The Medical Transportation Program, sponsored through the Great Bend-based Volunteers in Action-RSVP of Central Kansas office, provides round-trip rides to medical appointments across Barton County and around the state. Riders are only asked to pay a freewill donation.

“We are starting to have to say no to some rides due to the lack of volunteers,” said Linn Hogg, VIA-RSVP director. “It’s really sad to have to say no to these people.”

Many of their patients have no one to help out as their families do not live near by. And even if a family is close, “they have had to chip in so much and they need a respite,” she said.

“Just like employers, the pandemic saw a lot of volunteers making the decisions to stop,” Hogg said. And, they haven’t been able to replace them.

“Unfortunately, many of our seniors will just not go to their appointment and this causes more medical issues,” she said.

Currently, they have six volunteer drivers, but would like to have 15.

Drivers choose the dates they want to drive, how far they want to drive and how often they want to drive. They receive a gas voucher for the round trip, and supplemental accident and liability insurance.

The majority of the clients are 65 and older. Drivers are not asked to lift, transfer or escort clients, and clients can be dropped off at appointment site and call the volunteer when they are ready to be picked up, Hogg said. 

“Besides these, there are intangible benefits to being a driver,” she said. “They make new friends, have a feeling of giving back to those in need and get the gas so they can shop out of town.” 

Drivers are required to have up-to-date insurance and an approved Motor Vehicle Records check done by the program.

Looking deeper

Transportation is one of the most common supports provided by family caregivers, according to the National Alliance for Caregiving and American Association of Retired Persons. In fact, 78% of caregivers provide or arrange for rides for their loved ones and in 2009, family caregivers provided 1.4 billion rides per year to older adults. 

Still, older adults who live a long distance from family or who need frequent rides (such as individuals receiving chemotherapy or renal dialysis) depend on more formal services to meet their needs.

Accessible transportation is critical to allow older adults to live independently (nearly 90%, according to AARP, choose to age in place in their homes and communities). Successful community living requires access to medical and other essential services.

“While the health impact of reduced access to needed medical services is obvious (missed appointments, emergency hospital visits, lack of continual care), social isolation due to lack of transportation can have an equally negative effect on health and mental health,” Hogg said. “Without accessible, reliable and affordable transportation, many older adults could face the possibility of placement in a long-term care facility.”

In addition:

• A significant drawback of missing out on a doctor’s appointment is that the efficiency of treatment reduces.

• When the doctor prescribes medicines, they do so with the intent to continue until the next appointment. But when a person misses the appointment, they are more likely to continue with the exact dosage of medications.

• For a physician to be effective and efficient in treatment, they have to follow strict treatment rules. Appointments constitute an integral part of it.