To enhance accessibility to healthcare services for older adults residing in Windham, Age-Friendly Windham (AFW) has recently launched a program offering free transportation to medical appointments within the greater Portland area. This program aims to address the challenges faced by seniors in accessing healthcare, particularly those with limited mobility or transportation options.
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| Age-Friendly Windham Coordinator Erica Bell-Watkins, left, joins one of the first Windham residents to use its new medical ride program, Seth Ross, and his partner, Edell Spina. To request a ride, call and leave a message at 207-892-4649 at least 48 hours in advance. PHOTO BY LORRAINE GLOWCZAK |
AFW is part of AARP's Network of Age-Friendly Communities and was adopted as an official AARP network by the Town of Windham in January 2019. AFW advocates for a livable community for all ages by adopting such features as safe, walkable streets; better housing and transportation options; access to key services; and opportunities for all residents to participate in community activities. Providing free medical rides is one step toward feasible transportation options.
Since its inception on Jan. 2 this year, over 50 rides to medical appointments have been booked and Seth Ross, a 65-year-old Windham resident, was one of the first individuals to use the program.
“I have a car and can drive, but I had to have surgery at the beginning of the year to remove a hernia,” Ross said. “And although I could have driven to the appointment, I wouldn’t have been able to drive back home due to the anesthesia after the surgery.”
Ross said that his partner, Edell Spina, has a medical condition that prevents her from driving.
“I have friends who offered to take me to my appointment, but they all work and would have had to take the time off from their jobs,” he said.
It was for these reasons that Ross reached out to the newly established AFW free medical ride program. He said it was a wonderful and professional experience for him.
“One volunteer picked me up at my house, and another volunteer picked me up after the surgery. They both were very courteous, on time and friendly,” he said. “We even laughed and joked around. It was such a great experience for me that I offered to pay the volunteers for their time and gas, but they said they couldn’t accept it.”
Bell-Watkins said that since this is a free program, volunteers can’t accept money from the customer.
“But if someone wishes to donate to the program, they can do so with the Town of Windham,” she said. “All drivers have pre-addressed envelopes to send to the town’s agency that oversees AFW.”
Licensed volunteer drivers undergo background checks, while their vehicles are registered, inspected, and covered by insurance. Currently, AFW has three volunteers but is looking for more individuals to help grow and sustain the program.
According to Bell-Watkins, volunteering for the ride program does not require a lot of your time.
“We are only looking for just a bit of a volunteer’s time,” she said. “Even if someone just wants to provide one afternoon or one morning a week, that is enough to help this program succeed.”
Volunteers will be invited to monthly gatherings where conversing, story-sharing, and brainstorming can take place. Training will also be made available at these meetings.
“I will invite speakers and professionals to these volunteer monthly gatherings,” Bell-Watkins said. “Training topics will include, but not be limited to, guidance on helping people safely get into and out of vehicles, CPR training, etc.”
As for Windham residents in need of this free transportation program, the only requirement is that you must be a Windham resident.
“And we ask for at least a 48-hour notice so we can ensure there is a driver available for you,” Bell-Watkins said.
As AFW continues to grow this initiative, it is the program’s goal to expand transportation options beyond medical appointments.
“By early summer, we hope to have enough volunteers to provide other transportation needs for older adults,” Bell-Watkins said. “This includes things such as hair appointments, library events, Parks and Recreation activities, and other town-wide happenings.”
To request a ride, please call and leave a message at 207-892-4649. Someone will return your call as soon as possible.
For further information about this program or other inquiries about Age-Friendly Windham, send an email to Erica Bell-Watkins at eabellwatkins@windhammaine.us. <
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