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Fighting loneliness with free transportation in Saco

Age Friendly Saco is a group run by volunteers with a goal of helping older Mainers stay in their own homes as they age.

SACO, Maine — Going to the grocery store or enjoying eating out are activities most of us take for granted. They're not always accessible, though, for people who struggle to find affordable, reliable transportation that meets their specific needs — namely, older Mainers.

On the morning of Tuesday, Nov. 14, a white van with the writing "Age Friendly Saco" on it pulled up to Sandra Taylor's house. Donned in a purple puffer jacket, Sandra pulled herself up the steps into the warmth of the car, cracking jokes to the smiling faces around her. She's familiar with this van, using it ever since her daughter changed jobs and lost the flexibility to drive her to her doctor's appointments.

"I didn’t know what I was going to do," Sandra said.

Enter: Age Friendly Saco. This volunteer-led group is on a mission to help older Mainers like Sandra stay in their own homes as they age. Two years ago, Age Friendly Saco began offering free rides to medical appointments with 14 volunteer drivers. Since February of 2022, they've provided 1,200 of these trips.

“There comes a time when you have to rely on someone else," Sandra said, noting for her, one of those people has been seven-year volunteer David Steed, who she has taken quite a few rides with.

"He’s very charitable, and I think it’s wonderful that the volunteers do what they do," Sandra said.

Steed and his wife have been driving for Age Friendly Saco since the program began. He said they do so three days a week (Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays) and find it quite fulfilling.

"It's enjoyable meeting the people," Steed said, later adding, "They tell you their life story. It’s really a friendly way of doing things, and they really enjoy our company because a lot of them live on their own.”

Steed said the gratitude is apparent.

"We get donations from a lot of people, so they’re really grateful," Steed said. 

This fall, Age Friendly Saco has started offering trips outside of doctor's appointments, like rides to the grocery store, library, restaurants, community center, and exercise classes. Age Friendly Saco Executive Director Jean Saunders said a key part of this work is addressing loneliness.

"Obviously, as we age – we start to lose friends, we become more isolated," Saunders said, noting research has indicated loneliness is as detrimental to one's health as smoking.

Saunders said their transportation coordinator will take people's calls and schedule rides, so that the van picks people up right at their homes. She said she wants to see more systems like this around our state.

“I think that one of the things we in Maine really need to look at is to develop public transit systems that are equitable and accessible to the entire population," Saunders said.

This program was made possible thanks to a grant from AARP Maine and a van, donated by the local Saco transit system.

"I think organizations like Age Friendly Saco play a very critical role in supporting older adults and speaking up for older adults and showing up for older adults," Noel Bonam, the state director for AARP Maine, said, later adding, “We have a responsibility to make sure they are heard, that their well-being is considered.”

Even for those who don't need these services yet and volunteer instead, the meaning of this program is significant.

"I was tired from what I was doing for work. I needed a way to find a way to belong to my community and revive my soul," said volunteer Dennis Ford.

"I won’t drive forever. I drive less now. So, I’m glad to know that this exists," said volunteer Donna Beveridge.

You can find out more about Age Friendly Saco here

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