More Than Just a Ride

For 72-year-old Susan, getting from one place to another is not as simple as getting in the car and going.

“I can’t drive. I’m not well, so to travel is just really hard for me.”

Susan lives alone and has been connected to Seniors Services Society of BC for several years, using both Medical Transportation and Social Meals. For her, transportation has been particularly important.

Medical appointments aren’t always close to home. Sometimes Susan needs to travel outside of New Westminster, and without access to a driver, those trips could be extremely difficult to manage. Through the Better at Home Medical Transportation program, Susan has been able to get to appointments that otherwise may have presented a significant challenge.

When Susan talks about the service, she not only talks about the rides. She talks about the people. Over time, Susan has gotten to know a number of drivers, and she speaks especially warmly about Gary, who has frequently driven her to appointments outside the community.

Having someone she knows arrive to take her where she needs to go brings a sense of reliability and comfort to something that may be stressful. That relationship is a reminder that Medical Transportation is about much more than getting from point A to point B. It can also create a connection.

From Gary’s perspective, volunteering to drive seniors to medical appointments is meaningful. “It’s extremely fulfilling to help someone in need. I just want to make it as easy as possible for seniors to get to their medical appointments.”

From a practical standpoint, Susan says that the service takes a definite “load off the mind and wallet.” She doesn’t have to worry about how much a taxi will cost or how to navigate a difficult trip while feeling unwell. “It’s a very good service,” Susan said. “It’s really worked well for me.”

Having a dependable ride to medical appointments provides Susan with independence, reassurance and the ability to access care beyond the boundaries of her own neighbourhood. For Gary, it provides a sense of purpose.

While the destination is a medical appointment, the impact of the journey is far greater.

Get stories like this delivered to your inbox quarterly when you sign up for our newsletter, The Beat.