YES, I can do that!

In my mind the possibilities are endless!

Elderwheels is parked in between traditional healthcare and non-profit senior services. It exists without extensive procedures, restraints and risk management-driven function of healthcare and goes BEYOND what a not-for-profit organization can offer for no cost, there is no application. There is a place for every medical facility and senior community organization, but the GAP is wide and it exists in many areas.

So many questions people have and my answer is YES, because Elderwheels does what YOU NEED, you do not have to meet certain restrictions. I just need to know a location, a time and what your needs are. The rest is just what I have been trained to do.

- Can you drive me to New Orleans?

- I haven't had a haircut in months ...

- I wish I could see the beach one last time ...

It's always a YES.

As I still work as a home health physical therapist, I hear the stories, and they are and have been the same week to week, year after year.

-- I filled out my MetroAccess application but I haven't heard anything back. It's been almost a month.

-- I didn't qualify for MetroAccess, my family doesn't want me to drive.

-- My daughter is supposed to drive me, but the last time we tried it I fell getting into her car.

-- Drive-A-Senior says they have a volunteer, but what about my wheelchair?

-- My son says take an Uber, but they just drop me off.

Elderwheels fills the gap.

Yes, there is a financial cost. But it is LESS expensive than medical taxis and nonemergency medical transport ambulance companies. That is how Elderwheels can transport a person with functional needs, but medically stable (no IV, oxygen, etc) from Austin to Dallas for just a few hundred dollars. A few hundred dollars seems like a lot, but for peace of mind and a medically trained driver in an accessible van, it is so much more palatable than oh, say ... $6000+ for a trip in a nonemergency ambulance rig!

I had the pleasure of transporting and caring for a client, close to my age from city to city, almost 4 hours a while back. He could sit in his wheelchair instead of having to lie down on a stretcher and was in earshot distance, so not only could I check on him, we could actually have a conversation! I hope it feels more normal and my client notice the personal touch.

I know that after an hour in that wheelchair, your tailbone hurts and you need to get off it!

Plus you get my enthusiam for helping people!

In my mind, the possibilities are endless!

But is it just in MY mind? Sometimes I wonder ... do people actually need this service?

Some awesomeness came to me last week when I got a call from a lovely lady from Capitol Metro. She's the person you speak to when you need accessible rides, whether you're an elder, 43 years old like me or a parent looking for options for their child. She needs alternatives - go-to options for folks who don't qualify or don't want MetroAccess, or CARTS doesn't go as far as their neighborhood (outlying suburbs) ...

That is totally what Elderwheels does!

We had a great conversation, she gets me. She sees the gap. Both in services and in cost. We are not each other's competition, we have the same goal. Get people un-stuck, do it with care. It's her mission at work and she's been at it for a long time.

She sees the gap.

I see the gap.

I'm happy to be the spackle ; )

Where do you wanna go? YES, I can do that!

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HERE'S THE INFO IF YOU NEED IT : ) https://www.capmetro.org/metroaccess