Get Up and Go gets seniors going out-and-about
As we get older, sometimes we need a little help to get up and get going — especially for driving — but San Mateo County seniors can get a lift with Get Up & Go.
Get Up & Go has provided affordable rides to county residents over age 50 for a decade, but their prices dropped. Now, Get Up & Go rides are free.
Russell Richins, age 57, uses Get Up & Go to get to cardio class at Sequoia Hospital. Although he has walked the two miles from his house to the hospital, Richins said he can rely on Get Up & Go to be on time and courteous.
“I enjoyed every driver that I’ve had,” Richins said. “Once, I forgot I left my glasses in the car and they brought them back and dropped them off.”
Get Up & Go offers rides to San Mateo County residents over 50 who cannot drive for any reason. Founder and outreach organizer of Get Up & Go Betty Burrs said the service is door-to-door, but Burrs prefers to say “doorthrough-door.”
“The drivers can go into the house and help the rider out into the car, then can go into the appointment and wait for them if they want,” Burrs explained. “And then they can help them back into the car and home again.”
The service offers roundtrip rides within San Mateo County, except to the coast. Outside of San Mateo County, the program offers rides to and from Stanford Hospitals and the VA Health Care System in Palo Alto. Burrs said most rides are for medical needs.
Although operated out of the Peninsula Jewish Community Center, anyone can use the service. To schedule a ride, seniors must register over the phone and
schedule the ride by the Wednesday prior to the week of the needed transportation.
“I am comfortable using this service — never feel rushed and always feel safe,” said Jane from San Mateo County.
San Mateo County offers the paratransit service Redi-Wheels, but some folks do not qualify or have to wait hours for their ride to come. Paula Thompson was looking for a ride service for her parents when she was injured and could no longer drive. She did not qualify for Redi-Wheels and tried applications like Uber and Lyft, but she said the apps were not conducive to her need for safety.
“I would have to wait out alone on the street corner for over 10 minutes, and when you’re injured or older you are vulnerable,” Thompson said. “Get Up & Go, the driver comes in and helps you, the rides are scheduled, and everyone is so kind toward you. It is personable.”
Barbara Saunders, a volunteer driver since 2015, drove Thompson to and from physical therapy. Saunders said she loves that the service gives you the opportunity to meet and help someone.
“The program is so easy to use, and you can tell that you’re really making a difference for these people,” she said.
The program has four active buses, one wheelchair-enabled van and volunteer drivers who use their personal vehicles. Drivers are notified of requested rides the week prior.
“The inspiration in driving for me is seeing these are people who are determined to keep their independence,” said David Keane, a 65 year-old volunteer driver from Burlingame. “They have a lot of history — they inspire me when I don’t feel terribly inspired.”
Volunteers can choose to take four hour, half day shifts or be “on call” — meaning they have a few hours per week that they are available to drive. Burrs said most drivers are recent retirees over the age of 50 who are living in San Mateo County.
As the service is now free, Burrs said the need for drivers is dire.
“Volunteers come from the heart,” Burrs said. “I am trying to think of a way to say that so it doesn’t sound sappy, but it is true. They truly do come from the heart.”
“You hope when it’s your time there will be someone there,” said Andy Klase, a 68 year-old volunteer driver.
Although the service is roundtrip, data collected on the service counts the number of one-way rides. Get Up & Go provided over 2,900 rides in 2016.
The program offers rides four days a week between 9:30 a.m. and 3:30 p.m. Every other Wednesday, Get Up & Go offers rides to and from a senior program at the PJCC.
“This is something to make a difference in the world, we’re all proud of what this service provides,” Burrs said. “We are here, we care, we are free.”