A “community drives” program could help seniors with their transportation needs as they age.
That’s according to the Office of the Seniors Advocate who has released a report on seniors transportation needs.
Seniors Advocate Isobel Mackenzie says many seniors may have the physical ability to take a bus or use HandyDART but there’s a gap for those who can’t use those modes of transportation and especially for those who may need extra help navigating to and from appointments.
Mackenzie says some seniors, with physical and cognitive disabilities, need help finding the office where they need to go and then just getting to it can be a challenge.
She says the the easiest “fix” would be to add it to the supports through the Home Support program….
Other recommendations in the report include support for family members or friends who can drive seniors to appointments in the form of tax relief, or having BC Transit institute a “bus buddy” program to connect seniors with volunteers who could accompany them to appointments.
In Nanaimo, there are more than 3,000 seniors aged 85 and over and more than 1,000 in the Sunshine Coast Regional District.
