We were delighted to see our program, including volunteer driver Bill Goodfellow and client Mary Roberts, featured in this article in today's edition of the Seattle Times.  We were profiled because Senior Services is one of twelve local agencies that will benefit from the Seattle Times Fund For the Needy.  What an exciting opportunity!

We'd like to share the story's narrative about Volunteer Transportation here:

Seniors helping seniors
While some Seattle and King County residents enjoyed an economic resurgence after the recession of 2008, those on the lower rungs of the economic ladder have not shared in the prosperity.

In the annual overnight count of homeless in King County early this year, volunteers found 3,772 men, women and children had no shelter, more than a 20 percent increase from the previous year.

Alison Eisinger, executive director of the Seattle/King County Coalition on Homelessness, called the tally “heartbreaking evidence that we cannot cover our community’s most basic needs.”

The numbers of people in need are large. The Census Bureau estimates that 60,000 children and 20,000 seniors in King County are living in households below the poverty level.
As baby boomers age, the ranks of elders swell. Today’s “youngest” oldsters may need to stay in the workforce longer, or live more years in which they’ll depend on Social Security and savings.

In the effort to help seniors, Senior Services uses a particularly effective resource: other seniors.

Of the 3,800 volunteers that put in a combined 274,000 hours last year, the agency estimates that 85 percent were at least 60 years old.

Among them is Bill Goodfellow, of Seattle, who’ll turn 80 in December.

For seven years — usually several times a week — he has driven Senior Services clients to doctor visits or other appointments. He stays through their appointments and takes them home.

The retired architect and structural engineer happily gives up the time. If the appointment is a long one, that’s fine, he said. It gives him more time to read the library books — including many mysteries — he has downloaded onto his iPad.

Goodfellow forgoes the money Senior Services offers for gas and parking, as do other drivers he knows, who consider it part of “their contribution to the program.”

Mary Roberts, 89, of Seattle, gets dropped off at her dentist’s office by Senior Services volunteer Bill Goodfellow. (Steve Ringman / The Seattle Times)

The unsung heroes of the program, he said, are the Senior Services staffers who, a week at a time, match up ride requests with the available drivers.

Senior Services’ ride programs took clients a total of 1,113,422 miles last year, the equivalent of more than two round trips to the moon.

The best part of the assignment, he said, is meeting interesting people, such as Mary Roberts, 89, whom he recently drove from her Capitol Hill apartment to her Beacon Hill dentist.

Mary Roberts, 89, of Seattle, jokes around with Senior Services volunteer driver Bill Goodfellow, who turns 80 in December. (Steve Ringman / The Seattle Times)

A few years ago, Roberts might not have envisioned needing this service. But that changed when she got in a serious car crash while driving to a square-dancing session in West Seattle.

“No one was injured, thankfully. But I decided it was a sign. I couldn’t take the thought of hurting someone.” So she hung up her car keys for good.

Roberts, a retired materials-purchasing manager for a railroad, enjoys walking and doesn’t mind the 12-block walk to her church, Capitol Hill Presbyterian.

But she’s glad to have the option of Senior Services rides to doctor visits. She makes donations for the rides — but still less than she’d have to pay if she used a taxi.

And she regards Goodfellow as nothing less than an important civic asset.

“He just a really sweet guy,” she said. “And we’re fortunate to have him.”

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 As we prepare for the Thanksgiving holiday, we give thanks for Bill and all the rest of our our amazing and inspiring volunteer drivers!

This handout was produced by Seattle residents with early-stage dementia.

In our various roles within Senior Services’ Transportation Program, we often come across seniors living with dementia.   This can be challenging and upsetting for us to encounter, and our hearts go out to those grappling with their new memory-related struggles of daily living.

 Yet, a local program (often given the name of “Momentia”) attempts to de-stigmatize dementia and remind us of the many gifts seniors with Alzheimer’s disease have to offer.  The positive spirit and hope of Momentia are very inspiring, and participants are emboldened and empowered by its various offerings.  Hence, we’d like to share more about this program with you today.

Marigrace Becker offers lively and descriptive reflections about Momentia on the ChangingAging blog.  She proclaims,
“This, together, is Momentia. A new story told most compellingly and vividly by people living with dementia. A community transformation unfolding as the new story surges onward, leaving its tangible and joyful mark in our museums, parks, community centers, art galleries, stadiums and coffee shops. An irresistible invitation for us all to play a part in abundantly life-giving ways.

And through it all, we use the word to celebrate. The old dementia story has come to an end. The new dementia story is emerging. Momentia! Try saying it. It must, in fact, be exclaimed. The word springs from the lips, proclaiming, transforming, inviting. Momentia! There’s a new dementia story being told. It’s a hopeful story, it’s a triumphant story, and we’re all a part of it. Momentia! We’re not afraid anymore. We are celebrating. Because as dementia is on the rise, so is Momentia!”

It’s hard not to get excited about Momentia with such enlivening words!  KUOW recently aired a story about the program’s group at the Greenwood Senior Center, which you can listen to here, and you can also find out more about Momentia on its Facebook page.  In addition, our post is very timely because an entertaining Momentia evening showcasing the "new dementia story” told by persons with memory loss will take place on Tuesday, March 11, 2014 from 5:30PM to 7:30PM, at The Kendall Center, Taproot Theatre.   You can find out more with the flyer located here.   We hope to see you there.

Let’s get some powerful momentum rolling for Momentia!

Because of their unique role, our volunteer drivers have the tremendous potential to serve as bridges—or gateways—connecting seniors to other needed services.   But it can be overwhelming or confusing to determine what to do or where to turn when a senior is in need.  Therefore, we have collaborated with Senior Services’ Information and Assistance (I & A) program to offer three Gateway Trainings for our volunteers.   These seminars are intended to support participants in deciding why, how, and when to make referrals to the appropriate contact, as well as what typically happens once a referral has been made. 

Linda Phillips, I & A Advocate, conducted our first Gateway Training on September 10 in Shoreline.   She described some of the typical signs demonstrating that a senior is in need of additional assistance (including but not limited to):

Linda provides volunteer drivers with various case studies.

• Unkempt appearance
• Strong odors on person and/or in home
• Depression, confusion, forgetfulness
• Substance abuse
• Caregiver stress
• Financial and social problems
• Physical losses
• Yard and/or pets neglected
• Home needs repair
• Recent change in behavior.

If one of these red flags is observed, Linda recommended that volunteer drivers share their concerns with their Volunteer Coordinator/Scheduler, or the I & A program can be contacted directly at: 206-448-3110, 1-888-435-3377, or info@seniorservices.org.  She further explained how I & A advocates may make additional referrals/reports (e.g.:  to the Geriatric Regional Assessment Team or Adult Protective Services) if needed.  Overall, the hour-long training was very informative, and volunteer drivers received answers to many of their questions.

We here at the Transportation Program are a part of the big, happy extended family of Senior Services-- the most comprehensive non-profit agency serving older adults and their loved ones in Washington State.  Together with our fellow Senior Services "brothers and sisters," we work to "promote the emotional, social, and physical well-being of older adults."  This includes many worthwhile services that inform, protect, support, and advocate; promote health and strength; enable seniors to remain independent and safe at home; and promote relationships and meaningful engagement in the community.  Collectively, we aspire to empower older people from diverse backgrounds to choose and develop joyful, healthful, and purposeful lives.

I'd like to dedicate this post to helping you get better acquainted with a few of our Senior Services "siblings": Meals on Wheels, Water Conservation, and Minor Home Repair.  Each of these programs is equally valuable in ensuring the independence and safety of the seniors we serve.

Meals on Wheels delivers nutritious and delicious frozen meals to thousands of homes throughout King County each week.  The following video (produced by the City of Auburn) portrays the heart and soul of what it's all about:



For more information about Meals on Wheels in King County, you can call the program at (206)448-5767.

Senior Services also strives to make lives easier through its Housing and Home Repair programs.  Leonard Luna, Minor Home Repair Field and Operations Coordinator, created the following PowerPoint presentations* to better illustrate the services offered within this Senior Services department (*minor formatting challenges):