Non-profit Charity Organization for Isolated Older Seniors Who Need Help with Transportation

2007 P. P. Presentation for information on why volunteer driving is needed? Seniors Volunteer Driving Centre of Edmonton 11/08/2008 1 Why the need for economical supportive Transportation – • In the past older seniors stayed in families homes or were isolated in nursing homes…but if well, not now…We have a Shift in our public’s attitude towards ageism and keeping seniors staying healthily as part of our community is where we can all learn more… The people with the money in Canada! shoppers by age Children Pioneers nearing End of Life Middle Section covers youth to young seniors in Canada- the people controlling the money ! 11/08/2008 2 Why are older seniors poorer than younger seniors? • Oldest seniors have lowest income as they did not have the opportunity to pay in to a pension fund and have little savings left….Little increase in cost of living index…If poor Choices in Investments, lose everything; they can’t work to replace losses…All living Costs have increased! … the people with the money! shoppers by age Children Pioneers nearing End of Life Middle Section covers youth to young seniors in Canada- the people controlling the money ! 11/08/2008 3 Canada’s oldest seniors as Elders are the fastest growing segment. • From the 2001 statistics: 85 and older seniors as the oldest seniors are the fastest growing segment of our population as they increased by 29% from 1996 to 2001. • Those of ages 75-79 was the second fastest growing segment at 27% and ages 80-85 a 21% increase in the population… • 2006 statistics just out…They likely will grow even more or match this.. 11/08/2008 4 The Situation is more worse in Edmonton • 10,620 aged 85+ (An increase of 28% from 2001) • 31,345 aged 75 – 84 (An increase of 20% from 2001) • Population is only 10% increased in that period - data source: 2006 census Otherwise, 72% aged of 80+ is living alone w/t family members nearby… Why is Economical quality Transportation needed for older seniors? • Edmonton Community Services statistics show most older seniors have a poor support system as Family is living away from Edmonton or working daytime. • Public transportation choices - ETS and ETS DATS are economical but not supportive enough… 11/08/2008 Price A B C D Performance 6 Other Supportive senior transportation services... • No one markets good support services except for expensive solutions which the older lower income seniors cannot afford much of like Driving Miss Daisy @ $1.60 a kilometre which equals Taxi’s costs but with better services. 11/08/2008 7 To Be proactive about public transportation is one way to help.. • As a good consumer it is part of our job to be proactive – to help target consumer demographics to support frail peoples…to make the bus go where it can to support those who need it…those with no cars! • ETS new low floor buses will benefit some of the poorer walkers in our midst if they can keep their balance on a bus… • ETS DATS operates at a deficit so perhaps you could work on funding for this public transportation choice. 11/08/2008 8 Volunteer Driving-is it an option? • This is only what is left if public transportation, taxi’s and supportive family and friends are just not available when an older senior needs a ride… • But it is only an option if we can find the needed volunteer drivers… 11/08/2008 9 • The Seniors Volunteer Driving Centre of Edmonton a non-profit charity organization for isolated older seniors who need help with transportation. • Mission: Our mission is to assist seniors, as identified in our target audiences, in maintaining their independence and quality of life by staying engaged in the community for as long as practical through the assistance of volunteers helping them to participate in essential appointments, keys service and social engagements. Our Service • The cost of services is a yearly membership of $15.00 plus a $7.00 ticket for trips of 2 hours or 2 tickets for a longer far away ride trip. • The driver then hands in the tickets and is reimbursed $7.00 per ticket, to offset gas costs. The Benefits of doing Voluntary Driving… – Flexible Schedule – choose time to start and own volunteer hours – Usually needed daytime Mon. to Fri. – Needed all year… – Training and orientation – Receive a few days notice when you are asked to drive 11/08/2008 12 Volunteer Driving as a choice! • Our volunteer drivers tell us it is a very satisfying volunteer position…. a person can feel and see the difference the ride can make in a elders life…immediately! • If You like a job where you can choose your time to start…usually Monday to Friday daytime hours… 11/08/2008 13 Learn from your elders… • Oldest Seniors as our elders are full of knowledge… They are the ones who can teach us how to live through a depression or a stock market crash… • They have much to teach us in aging wisely, in using arts and crafts to relax and to enjoy friends and family, wherever they may be. • They obviously made excellent choices as they are living to 90 and are basically healthy….. 11/08/2008 14 Consider Volunteer Driving if… • • • • • • • 11/08/2008 You enjoy driving You enjoy people You like to meet new people You like to really make a difference You like to solve isolation You like company You like being appreciated 15 Continued… • You like to make a difference… • You like a job with a beginning and an end. • You like to be part of the solution. 11/08/2008 16 Where do elders need to go….. • • • • • • Medical appointments. Food and groceries. Banking and accounting support. Some social and recreational events. Community events. Immediate family visiting. 11/08/2008 17 What do you need to do to be able to volunteer drive? • Use of a vehicle you own and insure. • A volunteer driver needs to provide proof of current insurance, vehicle registration and drivers license. • The Insurance Bureau of Canada states that everyone volunteer drives so organized volunteer driving should be covered. The Alberta Government Finance Department agrees with this statement! 11/08/2008 18 What is Seniors Volunteer Driving Centre of Edmonton • We are a registered society in Alberta and a registered charity in Canada. • We only do volunteer driving. • We drive seniors all over Edmonton to any appointment anywhere in Edmonton. • We specialize in the older seniors support; especially those at risk of dying from a surgery due to a fall. 11/08/2008 19 Other volunteer Driving Choices • Operation Red Nose at Christmas • Meals on Wheels at Lunchtime • Canadian Cancer for Chemo and radiation treatments at the Cross Cancer. • Capital Health home Care Volunteer Driving • Seniors Caring about Seniors and Lifestyle Helping Hands and Seniors Outreach. 11/08/2008 20 Do I dare ask you…how do you think you will get to meetings in a few years? • Do you take it for granted that you will drive your own vehicle or maybe use public transportation? Or maybe you will share transportation with others? • But really… what is your plan if public transportation or taxi’s or driving yourself are not possible for you either because of cost or they do not fill your needs? Seriously…what will you do.. 11/08/2008 21 Why not pay it forward today? • Stop Isolation – yours and others… • We have established that without transportation a person has nothing… • Often we cannot pay back those who voluntarily do kindnesses to us… • Here it is a chance to pay it forward and offer this kindness to yourself in the future… • Think of volunteer driving an elder today… 11/08/2008 22 Thank you • Thank you for listening today ….and for thinking of trying volunteer driving or of convincing someone else to try volunteer driving…. • Any questions… 11/08/2008 23 11/08/2008 24 11/08/2008 25 Task 1 Task 2 Milestone Task 3 Task 4 Jan 11/08/2008 Feb Mar Apr May Jun July Sep Oct Nov Dec 26