Among Friends

[occasionalrain]

The elderly are under served , especially in communities that haven't Uber, Lyft, or even taxi service. As people age, they lose spouses, friends die, move away, or no longer drive.  Medicare and insurance are worthless if they haven't transportation.

[Sooner]

@chrystaltree I am sorry you are having these issues, and pray you find a satisfactory solution and things work out.

Along with help, people sometimes offer what seems like harsh judgment because they haven't been in your shoes or suffered along with relatives who are.  If they are lucky they might not some day understand where you are coming from.  If they are very fortunate they won't.  

[ThinkingOutLoud]

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@occasionalrain wrote:

The elderly are undeserved, especially in communities that haven't Uber, Lyft, or even taxi service. As people age, they lose spouses, friends die, move away, or no longer drive.  Medicare and insurance are worthless if they haven't transportation.

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Balogna. In years past, neighbors and church communities were the go to when help was needed that family couldn't provide. Government should have never replaced that - it wasn't their role then and it's not now - and we don't need insurance rates to increase either which is what would happen if they implemented what you're suggesting.

[Sooner]

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@ThinkingOutLoud wrote:

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@occasionalrain wrote:

The elderly are undeserved, especially in communities that haven't Uber, Lyft, or even taxi service. As people age, they lose spouses, friends die, move away, or no longer drive.  Medicare and insurance are worthless if they haven't transportation.

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Balogna. In years past, neighbors and church communities were the go to when help was needed that family couldn't provide. Government should have never replaced that - it wasn't their role then and it's not now - and we don't need insurance rates to increase either which is what would happen if they implemented what you're suggesting.

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@ThinkingOutLoud OK.  I agree with you that government is now doing a lot of things it shouldn't.  Also I know several who has no family, no relatives, friends have all died or moved, attend church only by video or not affiliated,  basic services need to be considered for people like that through medicare or insurance for funding for transportation for those who have NONE available.  

That would be a drop in the bucket compared to a lot that is free-for-all who don't work now.  

[occasionalrain]

@Sooner 

My post was general not personal. I'm fortunate in that I have access to transportation, family available, but there are others who don't. 

If the government can provide free lunches, subsidized rent, subsidized childcare, free Covid tests and vaccine...they can surely provide for those who have worked, paid taxes, voted, and now depend on SS. It seems that there are those who expect them to just  depend on the kindness of strangers. To me that's shameful.

[Lucky Dog]

@Sooner :Is there harsh judgement in this thread?

[mrshckynut]

@chrystaltree 

as others have said          i have had my eyes dilated many times and drove with sunglasses with no issue

mrshckynut 

[ThinkingOutLoud]

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@occasionalrain wrote:

@Sooner 

My post was general not personal. I'm fortunate in that I have access to transportation, family available, but there are others who don't. 

If the government can provide free lunches, subsidized rent, subsidized childcare, free Covid tests and vaccine...they can surely provide for those who have worked, paid taxes, voted, and now depend on SS. It seems that there are those who expect them to just  depend on the kindness of strangers. To me that's shameful.

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None of that should be happening - for a few reasons - and neighbors/church communities should/need not be strangers

so you're 'shameful' description doesn't apply.

[occasionalrain]

A senior should not have to make friends with neighbors so they can impose upon them later, nor join a church so members can provide charity rides. They paid their taxes and deserve a share in the rewards.

[Etoile308]

Personally I think scheduling a shuttle at 9:30 for a 10:00 appointment is a miscalculation. I would request at least a 9:00, or better 8:30 pickup. Doesn't matter the distance. My experience is that one is not always the sole passenger. Others are also picked up and dropped off. Time frames are fluid. I would rather be very early and sit in the waiting room reading than be late.

But I've also never needed a ride after an eye appointment. Like others I grab the disposable eyeglasses. Often using them with my regular sunglasses. I also wait a while before driving. If there's somewhere close by I spend time there. Have a beverage, have lunch, browse a store. Since my current doctor is in a medical facility with nothing interesting around, I sit and listen to an audio book for a while.