Shepherd's Center Helps Older Adults Live Independently In Place

FAIRFAX, VA — The Shepherd's Center of Fairfax-Burke provides a variety of programs to help older adults continue to live in place, independently and with dignity. One of the ways the center accomplishes that is by providing free rides for adults 50 and older to medical appointments and to go shopping.

During the COVID-19 pandemic, the Shepherd's Center's volunteer drivers worked more than 14,000 hours, driving 144,000 miles over 11,000 one-way trips. In 2022, the program's 78 drivers supported 181 riders, completing 3,475 one-way trips.

Despite those impressive numbers, the center's transportation program is facing a critical need for more drivers.

"We have demand," said Barry Wickersham, vice chairman in charge of programs. "We add about 12 to 15 new clients every month and we don't add a lot of new drivers every month. Maybe we get one or two, if we're lucky."

Originally, the program relied on recruiting volunteers from the faith community, but the pandemic interrupted that flow completely, as people became involved in other things, according to Wickersham.

Ruth Berman, a frequent user of the transportation program, called the service a lifesaver.

"My two grown children are married and inaccessible. One's in Manhattan and one is in Bethesda," she said. "They both work full time. I'm fairly capable, but I can't do grocery shopping."

In her 90s, Berman has difficulty maintaining her balance and uses a walker to get around.

"They've been more than the Shepherd Center," she said of the drivers who've taken her grocery shopping. "They've been friends."

Lillian Kirby, a resident of the center's residential facility on Olley Road in Fairfax, also had high praise for the volunteer drivers who've helped her over the last eight or nine years.

"They were able to take me to my physical therapy and all the stuff that I needed to be done," she said. "I was so grateful that they were right here. I don't have to go too far. But it is incredible all the help I have gotten. All the drivers have been wonderful."

An ideal candidate to be a volunteer driver would be someone in their 60s to mid-70s, who is retired and has a lot of time on their hands, according to transportation manager Tom Powers. Anyone interested in becoming a volunteer can contact the center by calling 703-323-4788.

Potential volunteers must complete a screening process and interview, before they can begin picking up clients.

Drivers are also expected to use their own vehicles and are required to carry liability insurance. In the event of an accident, the driver's insurance policy would provide primary coverage. Once the driver's insurance is exhausted, the Shepherd' Center's umbrella policy would provide up to $1 million in coverage.

In addition to transportation, the Shepherd's Center offers its clients a variety of activities in which to get involved, including luncheons, a book club, and opportunities for education.

"The other primary focus, at least from my perspective, is to help support and empower them to use their interests, skills and abilities, to their best ability, to enjoy and to expand to help others," Wickersham said. "It's a socialization effort, in many respects."

The Shepherd's Center Fairfax-Burke residential facility is located south of Little River Turnpike at 4019 Olley Lane in Fairfax. Although adults living at the facility can take advantage of the center's programs, those programs, including transportation, are open to any older adult who lives within the center's two service areas, Fairfax-Burke or South County.

"If a client has a need — they have a doctor's appointment coming up or they need a grocery ride they just give us a call," said Tanya Willoughby, a Shepherd's Center staff member and the transportation coordinator. "Actually, it goes to a voicemail. Our volunteers will pick up those messages and then enter them into our database, the date of their appointment and time, et cetera. If the staff needs to follow up, I will follow up with them. That's how we get them on the schedule."

Clients are required to submit a request for a ride at least five days in advance, in order to allow the transportation program enough time to ensure a rider will be available.

Rides for medical or therapy appointments are available Monday-Friday, 9:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m. Companion shopping rides are available Tuesdays at 1 p.m. and Fridays at 9 a.m. Ride requests can be booked online or made by calling 703-323-4788.