The Center for Social Gerontology at Georgia Southern University, home of the ‘Senior Companion’ program, has expanded their horizons to offer a very unique program to our area called the ‘Trusted Riders’ Program.
This program is designed to help older adults with transportation to and from their medical appointments.
Shannon (Shay) Paulk, MA (Double Eagle) is the Senior Companion and Trusted Riders Coordinator for the Center for Social Gerontology.
”I am thrilled to have the opportunity to bring this national program to life in Statesboro, GA," Paulk shared. "It is difficult to see that such a gap exists between people and the medical care that they need due to transportation issues. By implementing a program like Trusted Riders, we help ‘bridge that gap’ by cutting down on barriers like cost, availability of friends, family or neighbors, and safety. Reliable non-emergency medical transportation helps to make our community a more accessible place to live for everyone.”
About Trusted Riders
The Trusted Riders program is a national program being piloted by the Georgia Southern University Center for Social Gerontology in the College of Behavioral and Social Sciences. Trusted Riders is a service program that has already been successfully implemented by many organizations all across the nation.
This program offers non-emergency medical transportation for older and disabled adults in our community. Volunteers take on the role of chaperones, emphasizing door-to-door service and ensuring security and comfort every step of the way. Medical appointments can range in type from routine doctor's business to reoccurring standard medical related procedures.
Trusted Riders can get these individuals safely transported for dental care, physical therapy, and prescription pickup, offer assistance with telehealth setup, and more.
Many adults and individuals with disabilities depend on family, friends, and neighbors to drive them to appointments. At the same time, some of their peers who might not have access to a ride from family or friends remain at home, risking the eventual need for acute care due to foregoing needed exams and procedures. These types of exams are often inaccessible for older adults -- especially in rural communities. The Trusted Riders program helps to ensure that no one is left behind.
Trusted Riders was founded out of personal experience, in which the co-founder Alan Lopatin watched his mother struggle with the effects of lack of reliable and safe transportation. Lopatin asked himself, “Would it have been so hard to have someone there to make sure Mom got settled and had a safe trip?" Thus the idea for Trusted Riders was born.
At the end of 2023, the Center for Social Gerontology at Georgia Southern received an award from the Community Care Corps to pilot Trusted Riders in Statesboro.
About the Volunteer Drivers
Trusted Riders volunteers are young adults who offer their time and service to aid older persons. Volunteers receive access to free training collected and compiled by Trusted Riders nationally and at Georgia Southern.
After training, they have the knowledge and skill needed to prioritize client comfort and safety every step of the way. Their background is checked and certified by the Center for Social Gerontology, and they have liability insurance coverage through CIMA Acrisure. It is NOT a requirement for a volunteer to have a personal vehicle for use. Driving mileage reimbursement is available for those who choose to drive their personal vehicles.
The Trusted Rider chaperone can prevent an estimated 15-30% of doctor's appointments from being missed due to transportation issues. In the event that a volunteer is unable to drive or would just prefer it, they can also volunteer to be a team member.
Trusted Riders can offer a unique hands-on learning experience that can be beneficial for those students hoping to enter into medical, social science, social work, or other related fields. This experience comes with a completely customized schedule and volunteer hours that are required by some degree paths.
How do I apply for a ride or sign up to volunteer?
Older adults or people with disabilities in need of transportation to their next appointment simply need to call the Center for Social Gerontology office. If the client is unable to request the ride directly, a family member, friend, neighbor, social service, faith-based organization, or medical provider may make the request on their behalf. One-time and recurring trips are both eligible for Trusted Riders services.
This service costs you nothing! The program is grant-funded through the Community Care Corps, so Trusted Riders has the ability to provide transportation for FREE. No more scheduling around the availability of family, friends, and neighbors, and NO more missed appointments due to not having a ride!
Volunteers are also needed.
“We need more volunteers! If you are between 18 and 45 and have the desire to help, Trusted Riders may be a good fit for you," Paulk said.
For more information on rides or on how to volunteer, please call 912-478-0712 or email spaulk@georgiasouthern.edu.