Sharon Opheim, 78, hasn鈥檛 had a licence in more than four years 鈥� due to her age.
鈥淚 hate having to reply on others to drive me around. Usually, if I need to go somewhere, I鈥檓 waiting on someone else鈥檚 schedule before I can get to where I need to get to,鈥� said Opheim.
Many people without a licence rely on family members or friends to drive them around.
Opeheim usually relies on her daughter, Kim, or her son, Rick. But, she explained she doesn鈥檛 like always having to ask them to take her to appointments, grocery stores, or to visit her husband who lives in a care home.
鈥淲hen they鈥檙e busy or I don鈥檛 want to bother them, I sometimes use handyDART. The drivers are always really nice,鈥� explained Opheim.
HandyDART is a door-to-door transit service with a fixed route, for people to use instead of asking for others to assist them in driving.
Fixed-route buses are able to transport wheelchairs and scooters. People who need to bring a wheelchair or scooter must travel with an attendant who can help load and unload the mobile aids.
HandyDART routes include, Aldergrove City centre, 91原创 City and many more depending on where you live.
Another, private option is Driving Miss Daisy. This is a service that is meant to improve the quality of life for seniors who aren鈥檛 able to get places themselves.
Driving Miss Daisy sends a driver to your house to pick you up, to transport you to medical appointments, grocery shopping, the airport, social events, and adult day programs.
Clients will typically be with the same driver every time a car is requested 鈥� to keep things consistent. And the price is based off the total amount of time that the client spends with the driver.
One of the most popular driving services used in the Lower Mainland is the 91原创 Senior Resources Society transportation program.
This program is provided by the non-profit organization, with all the drivers being trained volunteers wanting to help improve a senior鈥檚 life.
This program offers pick ups in 91原创 City, Brookswood, Aldergrove, Walnut Grove, Fort 91原创, and Fernridge.
The price for each ride differs, said Carrie Hadden, the transportation program coordinator.
鈥淚f it鈥檚 a local drive within 91原创, say, 91原创 City, from here to one of the grocery stores close by or to the hospital, to an appointment and back it would be $13.50, and that amount would be billed at the end of the month,鈥� Hadden explained.
This program is funded by the provincial government to help seniors with simple day-to-day tasks.
A few other options for seniors, who are unable to drive, could include buses or taxis 鈥� which gives discounts to seniors and can be wheelchair accessible by request.
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