Back in January I wrote a column on Community Care’s escorted transportation program. If a senior 60-plus calls Community Care and registers for the program they can then arrange for a volunteer to take them to medical appointments and essential shopping. The call needs to be made two-to-three days in advance to give us time to arrange for a volunteer.

When a volunteer driver has been scheduled for your ride we’ll call to let you know who the driver is and when they’ll pick you up. The volunteer will pick you up, take you to your appointment, wait for you and then take you home. There is a small fee that clients must pay to cover part of the cost of the volunteer’s expenses. Clients also pay any parking expenses.

We also encourage people to apply for an “accessible parking permit” if they meet the eligibility to have such a permit. Then, when a client goes with one of our volunteer drivers, they can take this portable permit with them and the driver can park closer to the hospital or clinic entrance.

If you want to have a confidential conversation with a Community Care co-ordinator about the transportation program, please call the office at 613-476-7493. Community Care serves seniors living anywhere in the entire County of Prince Edward.

The Prince Edward County Specialized Transit service is also available for seniors. Call 1-866-992-9640 for fares, schedules and bookings or visit www.pecounty.on.ca for more information.

Deseronto Transit operates regular routes in Prince Edward County transporting people of any age. Call them at 613-396-4008 for more information. Search Google for “Deseronto Transit” to see their route schedule and fares. Or, stop in at the Community Care office, 74A King Street in Picton and pick up a Deseronto Transit brochure. For more information on seniors and driving go to www.mto.gov.on.ca.

If you’re interested in becoming a volunteer driver for Community Care please stop in the office or call us at 613-476-7493 and arrange to start the conversation with a co-ordinator. Community Care and the County Seniors Centre have lots of events and activities on the go for seniors. Call the office for information or go to the website at www.communitycareforseniors.org.

– Debbie MacDonald Moynes