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I just got a newsletter from the COA with notice about town van transportation (and a request for another donation to same). There is no taxi, Uber, bus, nothing in my small town outside of Boston. It is really nice to see what the van will cover. This is the one thing that would cause me to leave the town or my house- driving.
The newsletter says there are two vans every day. Priority is given to medical appointments to area doctors and hospitals plus the VA and Boston hospitals, which I didn't know. They also pick people up for town educational/social programs at the COA, and the library, supermarket and pharmacy, bank, etc.
I didn't realize they covered as much as they do. Although I am currently working and driving full-time, I certainly have notice my night vision being pretty poor and have worried about my older future (I'm 62).
I just got a newsletter from the COA with notice about town van transportation (and a request for another donation to same). There is no taxi, Uber, bus, nothing in my small town outside of Boston. It is really nice to see what the van will cover. This is the one thing that would cause me to leave the town or my house- driving.
The newsletter says there are two vans every day. Priority is given to medical appointments to area doctors and hospitals plus the VA and Boston hospitals, which I didn't know. They also pick people up for town educational/social programs at the COA, and the library, supermarket and pharmacy, bank, etc.
I didn't realize they covered as much as they do. Although I am currently working and driving full-time, I certainly have notice my night vision being pretty poor and have worried about my older future (I'm 62).
Typically, senior vans run by COAs do not go places at night (maybe to the ER in an emergency, but probably not).
The vans here are six-seaters. I see them zipping through the neighborhood streets daytimes.The drivers are supposed to help their riders in and out of the van and most likely will bring groceries on board from a grocery cart outside the market. The van is much preferred to a bus, as it's a low step up/down, has a ramp, and is used to dealing with old/physically challenged folks. You generally make appts 24 hours in advance. I don't know why so many oldsters resist this kind of thing, but I for one will be happy to use it if and when I need it. I'll always choose a place to live that has this.
I assumed that the vans aren't available at night, but my own failing night vision made me worry about my vision in general. That's probably the deal breaker for me staying in my house for the rest of my life.
Typically, senior vans run by COAs do not go places at night (maybe to the ER in an emergency, but probably not).
The vans here are six-seaters. I see them zipping through the neighborhood streets daytimes.The drivers are supposed to help their riders in and out of the van and most likely will bring groceries on board from a grocery cart outside the market. The van is much preferred to a bus, as it's a low step up/down, has a ramp, and is used to dealing with old/physically challenged folks. You generally make appts 24 hours in advance. I don't know why so many oldsters resist this kind of thing, but I for one will be happy to use it if and when I need it. I'll always choose a place to live that has this.
My disabled 70 year old cousin lives in one of those Boston suburbs and has just recently given up on that van. The reason is that she is in too much pain. She said one day last week the van came at 1030 am to pick her up and she had to ride around while they picked all the other people up. Every time it went over a bump she was screaming in agony. Finally she got to the hospital where her doctor was located.
Then it was the same thing all the way back. She got home at (8:30?), exhausted and in much pain. But there is something else they are now arranging for her: an escort. Apparently it's more like a car and has softer suspension and a driver who will take her to the doctor and back, no riding around all day picking up everybody else.
No matter what, you have to make the arrangements in advance but that's understandable. I think they'll even take you to a friend's house just to visit. It sounds good to me if the time ever comes. There are also volunteers who will drive someone to a doctor or hospital in their own car as long as they are notified in advance.
I assumed that the vans aren't available at night, but my own failing night vision made me worry about my vision in general. That's probably the deal breaker for me staying in my house for the rest of my life.
How often would you be going out at night anyway, at age 75+? If it's mostly a driving problem, there's ways to get around it. Taxis, the van you mentioned, ordering goods online, etc. And there's licensed bonded upstart delivery/transport businesses. I think a lot of us are going to be incapacitated in one way or another, sooner or later. We might start thinking of how we'll handle things if we plan to age in place.
I just assume that, if I need a van ride during the day, I won't be going out at night. That's a given, and I do look forward to more time in my beloved house at any age!
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