sandybeach

Also, 24-hour veterinary service. We only have one or two offices in town and they are only open 8-5 and a few hours on Saturday. And their services are lacking in quality.

anniesews

Easy transportation to grocery stores and other essential places that seniors need to go but can no longer drive. Our dial a ride gives free rides to those over 85. Seems like they could cut that age back a bit though.

lynnie

When i was younger, i always felt if they put a retirement houseene t to a kindefgarten, half of the worls peoblems could be settled.
Just imaggine, a kid having built in grandparwnts to holdd and cuddle and learn from.

Nanamoms

No "escort serive"!!!!!!!! (from a single lady LOL)

Seriously, I live in a small town with surrounding small towns around our capital city! But with traffic, it takes forever to get to the major hospitals and doctors offices. I hate going to these type of apts!

I like the school children/seniors co-op! There is so much knowledge to share and some of these little ones don't get a lot of extra attention. I know that our schools have a program where "grandparents" can come in and do Story Time.

My bank offers a Prime of Life program where they plan special events but most of them are travel events which are quite expensive...cruises/bus tours.

Our libraries have events for seniore as well as craft/quilting classes both during the day and in the evenings.

What I would most like to have is a Personal Shopper to buy groceries/clothes/run other errands for me. The heat this summer has been so awful that one stop and I'm ready to come back home!

jitkaau

We have a community bus service for people who have difficulty with mobility and wish to remain independent. It costs less than taxi services and takes people to hospital, doctors, supermarket and home again. That is one reason that stay in this rural area in my country. Also, Doctors who do not over-charge (i.e. bulk bill), public transport and train/bus service to next big city,regular activity groups to keep the mind occupied.

PB from MN

I work with Seniors in a rural and suburban area. One of the biggest barriers to a senior staying healthy in their own home is transportation and also the walkability of a community. If a person does not drive they can become isolated (depression), lack medical care (unable to get to a clinic/hospital) and if they fall in their home, no one is around to assist. With walkablity, many retail businesses are moving out of a downtown area and difficult to get to and many communities do not have sidewalks to be able to safely walk to a retail or medical area. More and more working adults are driving a long distance and are not close at hand for assistance with transportation or chores.

I recently read in a study that for every person who moves into a care facility (and they are needed), a local business closes. It may be the local hair dresser or other small business, because then the senior is not purchasing locally for groceries, clothing, etc. This has a very real effect on a local economy so it is important to keep seniors healthy and in their homes.

Also, there is a program for senior to volunteer with children in schools and it is the Foster Grandparent Program. People need to be over age 55 and volunteer a minumum of 15 hours per week and may qualify for a stipend of $2.65 per hour. I am an Area Supervisor for this program and I can tell you the bonds that develop between the Foster Grandparent and the children is absolutely incredible. The senior can share their life time of wisdom and help a child to succeed; their is always the question of who benefits more the child or the Foster Grandparent.

quiltmom04

I would think a transportation service that would be available on request to take seniors to appointments, the grocery store etc. I'm over 55 and don't need any of these services yet, but I know my parents and in laws could use this. However, one of the problems is admitting you are no longer able to drive. And then asking for help. They don't like that either. I don't know how something like this would work, but it seems like a better alternative than trying to let older people negotiate a public transportation system of a big city.

jude by the sea

I live in California. It's funny cause today on live chat we had Heather from Australia, bj from Illinois and the rest escapes me but we were from all parts of the globe. Today heater is on her Saturday and I am on early Friday! Fun, I love the quilt board!

jude by the sea

Sorry all this was to be posted to someone who asked what state we were from! However my dh and I just relocated to central ca. from Santa cruz, ca. I so mss the sea but am in driving time to get there. We wanted less hussel and hussel, arts, entertainment, close resources, cheaper food, resources close (and for me water close by). I now live by park, real estate affordable to get a house witha small inground pool, close to ocean and mountains. It is nice but I do miss hearing the waves!

Bibliogirl

Definitely a book store.