Local Program Provides Transportation Options to Roswell Seniors

Submitted by the city of Roswell

Imagine having chronic health issues that require routine medical appointments — but not being able to get to the doctor’s office because you aren’t able to drive, have limited family support, and don’t have easy access to public transportation. What would you do?

“I wouldn’t be able to see a doctor unless there was an extreme emergency,” says one 81-year-old Roswell resident with macular degeneration.

Like many seniors, she would have faced the challenge of unreliable transportation options. But thanks to a local program that provides free medical transportation for area seniors age 60 and older, she is able to visit her doctor regularly.

This Roswell resident and many others are able to live healthy, independent lives because of Senior Services North Fulton’s Transportation Options for Seniors (TOPS) Program. Seniors age 60 and older in Senior Service’s service area, including Roswell and surrounding communities, are eligible for TOPS. Trips can be arranged for appointments with doctors, dentists, eye doctors, for doctor-ordered treatments —or even just to get a flu shot.

For four years in a row, Senior Services has received one of the city of Roswell’s Community Development Block Grants (CDBG) to support TOPS. These grants, which are awarded to the city by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), can be used to support activities such as housing rehabilitation, public services, economic development and infrastructure projects.

“The city’s support through the CDBG Grant has been wonderful,” said Carrie Bellware, executive director of Senior Services North Fulton. “By increasing our total funding, the grant has increased our capacity to service more clients in Roswell.”

Transportation through TOPS is provided via van, passenger car, or wheelchair-accessible van, depending on the client’s need. For those with significant vision or other physical limitations, the service can include a one-on-one service feature, whereby the senior is not only transported to the appointment, but has someone stay with him or her to assist with note-taking and paperwork. A small voluntary contribution, all of which helps fund the program, is invited; however, ability to contribute is not a requirement to use the TOPS service.

Bellware says that TOPS has been vital to the lives of many Roswell seniors and truly fills a significant gap at a time in their lives when they need it the most. She shared the story of an 85-year-old Roswell client, who suffers from multiple health issues and must use a walker. The client receives one-on-one transportation assistance through TOPS from a certified nursing assistant. The assistant provides both mental and physical support—bringing her to and from appointments in a passenger car while also providing personal assistance and companionship throughout the appointment.

“We’re very excited that Senior Services is able to offer transportation solution through the TOPS program to our senior residents—and that we’ve been able to support those efforts through the CDBG grant,” said Charles Alford, grant specialist with the city of Roswell. “It is great to see how grant programs like CDBG and excellent public service programs like TOPS have a meaningful impact on the lives of our residents.”

For information about TOPS, call (770) 993-1906, Ext. 234, or visit www.ssnorthfulton.org. For more information about the city of Roswell’s CDBG Program, visit www.roswellgov.com/CDBG.

Photo depicting something similar to the TOPS service. Credit: city of Roswell