May is Older Americans Month
Sisters Country is a lovely place, and it’s home to many wonderful older residents. These seniors are like the heart and soul of our town. They shop at local stores, attend music and school events, volunteer, take care of their neighbors’ pets, go to church, and stay informed about the issues that affect us all. In fact, according to AARP, almost 90% of older Americans choose to stay in their homes and communities as they age. But when it comes time to “hang up the keys” and stop driving, things can get a bit tricky. Sometimes it happens all at once, and other times it happens gradually, with a smaller area to travel comfortably, and a halt to driving during bad weather. For some residents, this can mean the end of living independently, or even the end of regular medical care that keeps them healthy. This is an “aging script” that needs rewriting.
So, how can we help older adults stay safe, reliable, and affordable? Well, it all starts with transportation. Access to safe, reliable, and affordable transportation is crucial for enabling older adults to live independently. While public transit can be a good option in many communities, in our rural location, it’s limited, and paid options might not be within everyone’s budget. That’s where STARS comes in. STARS is a group that’s dedicated to helping any Sisters Country residents who need a free ride to their non-emergency medical appointments. We want to do our part to “Flip the Script on Aging” from one of decline and loss of independence to one of health, connection, contribution, and happiness.
Need a ride to a non-emergency medical appointment? Our friendly volunteer drivers are here to help! It’s super easy to use our FREE service of rides to appointments in Sisters, Redmond, and Bend. Just give us a call at 541-904-5545 at least 48 hours in advance, on any Tuesday or Thursday between 10 am and 3 pm. Our dispatchers will get all the info we need about your appointment and set up your ride with one of our awesome drivers. And you’ll be on your way in no time! Rides are available on Mondays through Fridays. If you’re interested in volunteering to keep Sisters a healthy community, consider joining our team. As a STARS volunteer, you can choose to work as much or as little as you want. You always make your own schedule. Going out of town for a getaway? No worries, you just wouldn’t take any rides while you’re away. STARS reimburses you for mileage.
Visit our website at https://starsride.org/volunteer/drive-for-us and fill out an application today. We’ll get back to you soon, and before you know it, you’ll be on the road! It’s easy to apply, and we’ll train you to drive with us.
Sisters Transportation And Rides Share has the proud mission of “Keeping Sisters Healthy One Ride at a Time!”
