If Pamela Disney called a taxi to take her to her weekly doctor appointments, insurance would cover the cost but it could take two hours before her ride came. If she ventured to Concord Hospital on the bus, it could be 4 to 5 hours round trip before she returned home to Pittsfield.
Instead, Disney relies on the Community Action Program’s volunteer driver program to get to and from her appointments.
“I am thankful for it,” she said. “Many times I would not have had a ride at all.”
She’s disabled, with a long list of surgeries and screws in her body. Severe sciatica sends pain down her legs. Currently, her right foot is in a boot after it was almost amputated this year. She uses crutches to hobble around but doesn’t venture far from home.
Disney doesn’t drive. She gave up her car and license when the renewal fee was too costly and payments to fix her vehicle were out of budget.
Now, Cindy Brown, a retired property tax administrator for the state, picks Disney up in her red Nissan and drives her to weekly appointments.
“If I can help someone, I am happy to do so,” Brown said.
The volunteer driving program provides free rides to people over the age of 60 or those with disabilities in Belknap and Merrimack counties. It’s one of many services provided through the dual-county Community Action Program.
Brown had to provide proof of insurance on her vehicle and enroll in a defensive driving course to sign up as a volunteer, she said.
Rosa Burt, the coordinator of the program, enrolls both volunteers and those in need of a ride.
In many cases volunteers hear about the program through word of mouth, she said.
For Brown, it was her own experience that motivated her to enroll.
Brown was a caregiver for an elderly widowed gentleman while she was still working. He was in need of someone to take him to medical appointments, and the volunteer driver program was recommended.
“I thought to myself, ‘that’s a really nice service. When I retire I would like to do that,’” she said.
After she retired in 2016, Brown signed up as a driver.
Sometimes rides are one way only. If a roundtrip is requested, Brown will run errands or go for a walk in between drop off and pick up.
An online schedule allows her to see what rides are needed each week and choose her own commitments.
Disney first heard of the program almost 15 years ago from her town welfare office.
The regularity of her appointments has allowed her to connect with drivers. One volunteer, Richard, has saved her thousands of dollars by driving her to the emergency room instead of calling an ambulance.
In an aging state – with almost 20% of the population over 65 years old – programs like this are essential for the health and independence of Granite Staters, according to The New Hampshire Alliance for Healthy Aging.
The alliance, which is a coalition of stakeholders focused on the wellness of the elderly population in New Hampshire, helps to recruit volunteers.
With their own volunteer driver initiative, which was announced in July, they are helping to connect interested drivers to their local programs.
“When you volunteer with your local volunteer driver program, not only are you making a positive impact by helping your community neighbors get to their appointments and errands, you are also helping them stay independent within their community,” said Jennifer Rabalais, the co-director of the Center on Aging and Community Living at the University of New Hampshire in a statement.
Riders used to be able to request two trips a week, according to Disney. But with volunteer numbers down, it is a once-a-week policy for now.
If Disney can’t find a ride to her appointment, she’ll often cancel it or try to reschedule. But she’s grateful for the rides she gets, and Brown is happy to help.
“It’s very rewarding and satisfying to me,” Brown said. “The satisfaction in knowing that I am helping someone who can’t get there on their own for whatever reason – they are elderly, don’t drive anymore, or have an illness. It’s such a good program.”