Assisted riding and volunteer driving programs can help older adults and people with disabilities continue to live at home in their communities and be able to get wherever they need to go. One example of a successful program is the Santee-Lynches Regional Council of Governments' Aging and Disability Resource Center (ADRC) Assisted Rides Program (ARP), a volunteer transportation initiative that received an Excellence in Regional Transportation Award from the National Association of Development Organizations (NADO) in 2011. For more information, visit: www.santeelynchescog.org/aging.html To learn about other program success stories, visit NCST's website: www.seniortransportation.net Transcript Words on screen: The Santee-Lynches Assisted Rides Program began as a pilot program to address the transportation needs of older adults & people with disabilities. Donna (Rider): It's very frustrating whenever you call around and you can't find someone to take you to get groceries or your medication or to a doctor's appointment. I've had to do without groceries, cancel doctor appointments, and even do without medication because I have not been able to find transportation to be at places where I need to be. Words on screen: In 2007, the Regional Transit Council received a technical assistance grant from NCST to support senior transportation coalition-building. Linda (Volunteer Driver): There's a lot of seniors who need assistance and they cannot afford the assistance that they need. So I give what I have to give, and that's my time and my patience. So that's why I do volunteer work for Santee-Lynches. Words on screen: Upon completion of a needs assessment in South Carolina, the Santee-Lynches Assisted Rides Program has expanded into a statewide program with 1,036 one-way trips provided last year. Mary (Rider): I like the riding program. It helps us out a lot because it saves a lot of money. Before I got involved with this, it was hard for me to get around and go and do a lot of the things that I needed to do. I thank them very much for what they do. Words on screen: Through the program, coordination of transportation resources has improved, the community is more aware of the mobility needs of older adults, and funding and access to transportation services for older adults has increased. Mary (Rider): I have an opportunity of going on assisted riding program. I'm from Clarendon county, and I'd like to thank you very, very much. I just hope that you can keep this up for a long, long time because I really enjoy having a place to go that I would enjoy. Donna (Rider): There are so many people that are in my position that need this program. Mary (Rider): Whenever someone needs to go somewhere, they are very helpful and they will help them to go wherever they have to go. Thomas (Volunteer Driver): I have enjoyed talking with these people, listening to their problems and helping them in any way I can. I want to be able to give back to my community because someday it may fall on me where I might need help. Herb (Volunteer Driver): My father, who's 90, enjoys riding around. We always ride around Sumter anyway, so we thought we might as well help some folks if we could. It's very enjoyable, meeting different people in their conditions and reasons why they need help. So it's fun, and we enjoy it. Rosa Lee (Rider): I really enjoy it, it helped me out a whole lot. And, I hope you all will continue with the program. It has helped us out very much to get around to the doctors and places that we would like very much to go...Thank you all so much. Mary (Rider): Just please keep it up. I thank you. Donna (Rider): The Assisted Rides Program has blessed me. Words on screen: The National Center on Senior Transportation is administered by Easter Seals Inc., in partnership with the National Association of Area Agencies on Aging (n4a) in cooperation with the Federal Transit Administration.
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