Improving the Lives of San Diego's Seniors
SAN DIEGO, January 25, 2023
By Laurel Brow
On the Go recently helped Jewish Family Service of San Diego (JFS) land a $1.5 million grant from the County of San Diego.
The purpose? Free rides for low-income seniors to reduce social isolation and improve their health.
In partnership with County of San Diego Health and Human Services Agency and LiveWell San Diego, On the Go launched the San Diego Senior Transportation Program in the fall.
Tina Nguyen
Community Outreach Coordinator
"The program provides seniors from low-income communities with free rides to medical appointments, social gatherings, and anywhere else they'd like to go! We aim to improve the lives of our seniors one ride at a time," says Tina Nguyen, Community Outreach Coordinator at On the Go.
Tina Nguyen
Community Outreach Coordinator
Seniors enrolled in the program call On the Go and speak with a live agent to schedule their rides. Agents take special care to assign a suitable car for the rider, noting any mobility restrictions. "We've found that our seniors really appreciate the fact that when they call On the Go to schedule a ride they get to talk to a real person who cares about their wellbeing." says Nguyen.
"I live alone, and I'm doing chemo on my own. It's nice to be able to talk to someone, even if it is just to schedule a ride."
– Rodney P.
In today's app-centric world, receiving the culturally sensitive, human touch that On the Go's staff can provide is a rarity. Not only do agents monitor and notify riders when their driver is on the way, On the Go agents also communicate with riders in multiple languages, including Spanish and Vietnamese, providing comfort to those whose primary language is not English.
"I like that there is an On the Go agent who calls to help me schedule rides and can speak my language. She makes sure I am doing okay."
– Phuong T.
While older adults often need door-to-door transportation, many low-income seniors simply don’t have access to this individualized care. On the Go bridges this gap in San Diego County. One rider with the program, Vo T., explained, "I feel like I get special treatment by having a personal driver instead of always needing to take the bus."
On the Go worked in partnership with JFS and the County of San Diego to develop a program that meaningfully and measurably improves the lives of the enrolled riders. Older adults in communities across the country can benefit from similar programs, and On the Go can help support those endeavors. To learn how On the Go can work with your agency to support older adults in your community, please contact Maureen Glaser, Program Manager, at maureen@otgrides.org.