Loretta, a 74-year-old Fremont resident, recently found herself in desperate straits. A few weeks ago her husband, aged 86, collapsed in front of their their home because of poor circulation in his legs. He immediately underwent stent surgery to alleviate the problem, and while he is starting to walk again, he will need to remain in a care facility until he is well enough to return home. While the couple does own a car, Loretta is without a driver’s license because of her own health problems and is too frail to use public transportation.

Alone and scared, she called LIFE ElderCare’s VIP Rides Program for transportation assistance. Within a day of her call, Program Coordinator, Lori Vogel, was able to set up a ride schedule that lets her visit her husband in the care facility and get help with grocery shopping. Last week Loretta also received ride assistance to get lab tests done that had been ordered by her doctor.

“Since my daughter died, LIFE ElderCare is the only help I have,” says Loretta. “A woman comes in to do my laundry, but without VIP Rides I would be homebound and unable to support my husband during his recovery.”

“Many people call us after an emergency health problem turns their life upside down,” says Vogel. “Because of our committed volunteer base, we can respond quickly and effectively to meet our client’s short-term and long-term needs.”