Healthy Seniors

Seniors in Albany without a family or a support network can rely on Volunteer Caregivers for basic services, such as transportation for grocery shopping and medical appointments. Volunteer Caregivers also ensure the senior citizen’s home is safe, with fresh batteries in their smoke detectors and other safety checks. Agency volunteers will build a wheelchair ramp and install grab bars when those services are needed.

“Our volunteers are wonderful about keeping their schedules open to guarantee the client a ride to an appointment, and then home,” said Suzanne Driver, agency director. “Many of our elderly clients are extremely anxious about having no one to help them at those times. If a volunteer has a client in the hospital, many times the volunteer will take the time to visit them. We are sure that this helps with the client’s recovery.”

Samaritan Albany General Hospital sees the value in this important service. For several years, the hospital has contributed a Social Accountability grant to Volunteer Caregivers to pay for gas for the rides to health-related appointments.

“This grant gave us and gives us the ability to continue helping those in need of transportation for health issues,” Driver said. “We have been able to extend our service outside the greater Albany area to help more seniors get to their needed appointments.”