So you aren’t driving anymore.

     You can still get around.

    It just takes a bit of planning. There are lots of options available to you, aside from taxi cabs and big Rabbitransit buses.

    Here are some options to investigate. Remember: the more options you have, the easier it will be to get where you want to go.

Option 1: Rabbittransit’s shared-ride program (also called paratransit).

     What it does: Takes you from curb to curb – but not always directly. It will take you anywhere you want to go – the doctor, the mall, your friend’s house. It also can make runs to medical facilities in Hershey and Lebanon. But……you often stop to drop off or pick up other people along the way. They often use small red buses with lifts for walkers or wheelchairs.

      What it costs: $1 each way if you’re 65 or older and have sent in the application. As of July 1, it will be $2 each way for people 60-64.

      How you do it: Fill out the forms and get registered. Make sure you send a copy of your driver’s license, state ID or other proof of ID.

      Call before 11 a.m. the day before you want to travel, and tell them where and when you are going. Call back after 4 p.m. for instructions. 

      Note: If you live far from York City (Spring Grove, Dover, Red Lion, etc.) the rules for when you can go and come may be different.

      Also: Seniors on Medical Assistance can use that program for trips to the doctor; there are also programs for the disabled for which seniors can qualify. And they can get you a “peer support” buddy to ride with you once or twice while you get used to it.

Option 2: Volunteer-run services, like Staying Connected.

      What they do: Takes you from door to door in the personal car of a volunteer who has signed up to help folks just like you.

      What it costs: Free – but donations are always welcome.

      Note: These programs rely on unpaid volunteers. Most of the time, they can find a volunteer to transport you. Sometimes, they can’t.

    Touch-A-Life: This program is run by Lutheran Social Services but serves anyone regardless of faith. Call 854-4313 and Danita will send you a form to fill out and mail back.

    You have to call in advance, probably more than a day or two, but check with them.They go to most places, and a second program office serves southern York.

    They take people of any age, but won’t get you to continuing appointments, like physical therapy or dialysis.

    Staying Connected: The program is run by four churches (Catholic, Lutheran, Episcopalian and Unitarian-Universalist) and two Jewish synagogues, but serves anyone regardless of denomination. Call 843-5011 and Deena (that’s me) will come visit you and fill out a form and see whether you need just our help or want referrals to other agencies, too.

    You have to call at least five days in advance and preferably a week in advance. We serve only folks 60 and older who live in the York City, York Suburban, Central York and Dallastown Area school districts. Sometimes we make exceptions for folks in West York, Red Lion and the northwest corner of Windsor Township.

    We make only “essential trips”: medical appointments, pharmacies, banking, grocery-shopping. No mall visits, trips to visit family, or club meetings.

        Option 3:  Mobility Transport or similar services.

        What it does: Takes you from door to door, directly, anywhere you want to go.

    What it costs: As of this summer, $1.75 a mile plus $16 an hour to wait.

    How you do it: Call them. They are at 246-7235 in Dallastown.  They go to Baltimore and Hershey. Check the telephone book under Ambulance Services for others.

Option 4: The Senior Companion Program

    What it does: Provides you a senior companion who visits once a week or so. Many will take you here and there.

    What it costs: It’s free, but the companions get a small stipend. They’re often older folks who need to work to make ends meet.

    How you do it: Call Gail at 843-2677.

Option 5: If you live in a senior citizens’ complex:

    Talk to your building’s social worker about making an arrangement with Giant to send a bus to the building to pick up a lot of people for shopping. Sometimes Giant does this. They have a bus three times a week to Broad Park Manor downtown, and also to the YorkTowne house.

 

Option 6: If you belong to a church

    Many churches have ministries that focus on elders, health and/or transportation.

    Or they have ministries that bring communion to the homebound.

    For example, St. Joseph’s Parish in Springettsbury Township has a large health ministry that offers transportation, and a group of Eucharistic ministers who will bring communion. But it is not just the Catholic church that does this. Lutherans, Methodists and others do it as well.

In addition, some churches have Stephen Ministers who may be able to help you.