Home support could include transportation of patients
Report suggests expanding home help to include some driving duties
B.C.’s existing system of home support could help seniors who don’t drive stay mobile and connected to the community, says B.C. Seniors Advocate Isobel Mackenzie.
In the report, Seniors Transportation: Affordable, Appropriate and Available, Mackenzie notes that the number of people who have an active driver’s licence declines dramatically at 70 years of age.
Only 44 per cent still drive by the age of 85, which leaves the majority of seniors dependent on transit, taxis or rides from family, friends and volunteers for any trip that is more than a short walk.
Mackenzie proposes expanding the services offered by home support workers to include driving seniors or accompanying them on transit to medical appointments, activities and errands. Home support workers are currently limited to personal assistance with tasks such as bathing, grooming or getting in and out of bed or bath.
“We have an infrastructure already set up everywhere in the province, in all communities,” she said.
Systems are already in place to determine the physical and cognitive abilities of seniors, and assess their needs. Plus, thousands of workers are already available to help with transportation.
“We already have a scheduling system, and many of these workers are part-time, most not by choice,” said Mackenzie.
While homecare workers are in high demand in the morning and the evening, many have no work at midday, hours that could be spent helping their clients get out of the house and accomplish their own goals.
“It’s important for seniors to get out and do their errands,” she said. “You could call the grocery store to have your food delivered, but that just contributes to social isolation.”
Seniors may stop driving themselves due to cognitive or physical decline — especially failing eyesight — or simply because they don’t feel comfortable with the speed and demands of driving.
Seniors face a number of barriers to independent travel when they no longer drive. A lack of benches at transit stops or poor access to public restrooms are enough to keep many people at home, Mackenzie noted.
While HandyDART’s door-todoor shared ride service provides senior-centric transportation options for many people, rides have to be scheduled in advance and the service is not available in many communities.
More than 40,000 ride requests are turned down by HandyDart each year.
The HandyDart system is also heavily subsidized to keep fares affordable — a typical round trip costs the system $78 in the TransLink service area, the report said.
More than 60 per cent of HandyDart users say they also rely on family and friends to drive them some of the time, but there is no system to compensate them for the time, fuel and wear and tear on their vehicles.
Organizations such as the Volunteer Cancer Drivers Society are constantly fundraising just to reimburse drivers for their gas.
The society’s drivers made 6,000 trips last year and founder George Garrett estimates they will make 8,000 trips in 2018.
“Transportation is a high priority need for seniors throughout the province,” he said.
A Cancer Drivers client recently wrote: “I am not sure you all fully realize what an incredible gift you all are to us. Your drivers were my angels during a most difficult time — 25 radiation treatments at the cancer clinic.”
Among the recommendations in the advocate’s report:
Establish a Bus Buddies program to connect seniors with volunteers who train them to use public transit.
Create an annual seniors pass good for all transit with a fee based on income.
Improve access to Handy Dart and expand days of operation.
Compensate doctors $75 for completing a medical examination report triggered when a driver turns 80. Doctors charge patients between $92.20 and $400 for the service.
Support pedestrian-friendly commercial hubs and transit stops designed for mobility-challenged seniors.
Tax relief for volunteers and caregivers who act as primary drivers for seniors.
Expand Taxi Saver program and require taxi companies to accept the vouchers.