Aging in a rural and remote community presents unique challenges. Access to health care can be difficult and care providers may be both limited and quite costly. Frequently, transportation becomes an issue when driving is no longer an option. Orcas is very fortunate to have Lahari with Dennis King in the lead to creatively address some of these issues.
Dennis has created a brilliant transportation solution–Orcas Door to Door. He has 25 volunteer drivers (each over 25, with their own working insured vehicle). To qualify as a client one needs to be over 60 or disabled (either permanently or temporarily). Once qualified, clients request a ride through the website (3 days prior to the need). The request is then sent to drivers who live in the area (volunteers only get requests from their neighborhood/hamlet). If the volunteer is able to fulfill the request, they simply email an acceptance. Ride on!
In the first 14 months, Door to Door provided 550 rides. They were able to fulfill 98% of all requests. What a fantastic effort! If you are interested in joining as a volunteer or if you want to learn more, check out the website: https://orcasdoortodoor.org/
Lahari also provides trainings and scholarships for community members to become certified Home Care Providers. They have set up a directory of caregivers: http://orcascaregivingconnection.org/wp/business-directory/- making it easier to connect when help is needed.
We are so very fortunate to have Lahari (and Dennis King) developing new ways to help us all as we (hopefully) age in place.
Hope your weekend is joyful. Mine will be spent mainly in the garden-cabbage harvest is on! Please send your best recipe.
All the best-
Hilary