Last year, Independence Township Senior Center vehicles drove 63,141 miles, transporting nearly 7,500 senior citizens and people with handicaps to physician appointments, dialysis treatments, grocery stores, and elsewhere.
This Sunday, locals can help them stay on the road at the second annaul Bucks for Buses at Fountains Golf and Banquet Center.
Dr. Michael Baker, M.D., and Dr. Robert Barnes, D.O., of Clarkston Medical Group explain the importance for seniors to get to their doctor appointments and to the grocery store.
‘It’s common for us — as we get older — to to develop a variety of conditions that might benefit from medical and healthcare services a doctor could provide or coordinate,? said Baker. ‘The only way to do that practically is the individual has to come in on a periodic basis.?
Phone calls give a little information, but usually not enough to ‘accurately assess? the situation, Baker said. .Doctors are limited to what they can do with a patient without seeing them.
‘If we put them on medication or administer some treatment, it’s good for them to come back at some point after that visit to assess the effect of the treatment, whether it’s helping, whether they’re tolerating their treatment, whatever,? Baker said.
Barnes agreed.
‘A lot of patients are home-bound and rely in visiting nursing agents to help out with care at home, but that’s limited to what a visiting nurse can do,? he said. ‘I agree as far as diagnostically testing, and physically seeing a patient. We need to treat appropriately, something that requires being seen in an office.?
Over the years, both Baker and Barnes have made ‘house calls.? But, that’s not enough.
‘From my standpoint, it’s a very unsatisfactory way of doing it. I’m never really comfortable that it’s worth the effort and really
provides much benefit for the patient,? Baker said. ‘I think with the technology we have these days, there is a lot that can be done for
people of all ages, but in most cases the most practical way or safest way to do that is to have them be seen in the office.?
A common problem affecting seniors is arthritis, which affects their ability to walk
and get around easily. Also, their inability to drive may be due to vision problems and they may not have the coordination and reflexes they once had.
‘Even some mild confusion, which may not impair them bad enough to going out the community for a doctor’s visit or the grocery store, but would impair them from being able to drive safely,? said Baker.
The doctors believe the local bus system is important because it gets seniors to the grocery story, which is an important aspect to health.
Often times elderly rely upon friends, neighbors, or family members to help get them around — not all seniors have those options.
‘Not getting to the grocery store can have negative impact on seniors. They don’t eat appropriately because they don’t have food.? Barnes said. ‘They don’t have access to get the necessities. Those things may not be emergencies. When you talk about transportation to a dialysis treatment, that is an emergency. You can’t miss dialysis without it being an emergency.?
This is why Baker stressed the need for local transportation.
‘I think the community service where people can be transported to the physician’s office or the healthcare facility is really important for many people,? he said. ‘If they didn’t have that service there would be a lot of people who wouldn’t be able to get in and get the care they need and the follow up they need.?
Dr. Tim O’Neill, president of Clarkston Medical Group, is honorary chairman for the event.
Fountains Golf and Banquet Center is located at 6060 Maybee Road. The event is from 2-5 p.m. The cost is $25 per person and will include food, fountain soda or beer, raffle tickets, and entertainment. All proceeds will go toward maintenance and costs of the Independence Township Transportation Services.
For more information or to sign up for bus service, call the senior center at 248-625-8231.