SATURDAY, AUGUST 26, 2017 · 13 LENDINGAHAND by the rider, such as an oxygen tank, walker or wheelchair. The rider will provide credit card information upon sign-up, or loved ones can buy gift cards in the amount of $49, $99 or $299, which the company says is ideal for a month’s worth of rides. Once the senior is ready to go somewhere, he or she calls a toll-free number and presses “1” to be picked up from home, “2” for a ride at the location where the person was last dropped off or “0” to speak with an operator. The rider will get information on what the current price of a ride will cost, how long it will take the driver to arrive, the driver’s name and the color, make, model and last few numbers of the license plate of the vehicle. Then, when the driver is a few minutes away, the automated service will call back and remind the rider that the driver is coming, the driver’s name and the car he or she will be driving. The rider, at that point, also will have the opportunity to speak directly to the driver, if desired. At any time, 24 hours a day, the rider can talk to an operator by pressing “0.” The family member listed in the registration will get updates by text whenever the individual requests a ride, as well as information on who the driver will be, when the rider gets in the vehicle and once the ride is complete. In addition to paying the fare charged by Lyft or Uber, the rider pays an additional 19 cents per minute to GoGo Grandparent. Boogaard said they also contact the driver to let him or her know they will be picking up a senior who might need a little extra time or help, and that the driver can decline the ride if uncomfortable. In that case, they make a note to not contact that driver again. It’s not a large percentage of drivers that decline, Boogaard said. “The reaction is always either absolutely not or absolutely yes, which is good for everybody,” he said. “We’re able to quickly tell what someone is interested in doing or not. But the vast majority of rides are done by the first driver we contact.” The majority of riders, too, do not require a great deal of assistance, Boogaard said. He estimates 95 percent are ambulatory but have been told they can’t or shouldn’t drive or simply don’t feel comfortable driving in general or in certain situations such as on highways or at night. Emily Anderson, of Forest Hills-based FamilyLinks, has heard about the service but as of yet doesn’t know anyone in the area who has used it. She does believe that it could be useful, however. “Transportation is probably one of the top three issues people face as they get older, so anything that can provide more transportation more often is a good idea,” she said. Anderson acknowledged what can be seen as a generational concern with the service, however. The idea of having a stranger show up in his or her car might be something that millennials don’t think twice about, but older generations sometimes view as a greater risk than using a traditional taxi. “But I think if people used it and became comfortable with it, it could make a huge difference with people remaining independent as they age,” she said. Initially, GoGo Grandparent grew largely through word-of-mouth in California, Boogaard said, and through more traditional forms of marketing, such as postcards. They got their first customer from Western Pennsylvania just after Thanksgiving last year, he said, after a loved one visiting from California who knew about the service was home for the holiday and signed her up. “We hadn’t thought twice about Pennsylvania; we were still trying to get our legs under us,” Boogaard said. “When we looked back at Western Pennsylvania five or six months later, we were astounded to see how the number of sign-ups had grown.” California and Florida are the largest markets for GoGo Grandparent, he said, but Pennsylvania is tied with New Jersey, Colorado and Georgia as the third-largest states. “It goes to show we’re in the middle of a very large change in the U.S. in demographics,” he said. “The population is aging, and it’s here to stay.” #GreatPla ceTo Wo rk # GreatPla ceTo Live Welcome to the Family At Newhaven Court at Linwood, we’ve designed a home-like environment that fosters a sense of comfort and familiarity combined with a state-of-theart Senior Living Community. Call for more information or see us online. At Newhaven Court at Linwood, you will enjoy: • Nutritious meals served in our dining room • A professional team of caregivers available to meet your needs 24 hours a day • Short-term respite stays available if needed • A variety of activities to keep you busy each day • Transportation if and when needed • A great place to share with friends and family Call us today for a tour or more information (888)261-8178 IntegraCare.com 100 Freedom Way Greensburg, PA 15601 SENIOR LIVING • MEMORY CARE ™ adno=6489321
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