In a recent story, I said that I expected to get hired by Naborforce.
As a reminder, that’s the company that connects older adults to helpers in their own communities. Think Uber for but for companion care, not rides.
So, I submitted a quick application and got a fast response by email. The message contained some links to choose an interview date and time, which I did.
But I ended the interview by declining the job.
Transportation stopped me from giving care.
Though I’d read on Naborforce’s website that Nabors drive clients to the store and such, I planned on avoiding the driving thing by accepting jobs to help folks prep meals, organize closets and with other tasks around the house.
Uh, no could do:
I needed to be willing and ready to drive clients somewhere at a moment’s notice, which wouldn’t work for me. It was one thing to drive my mom around Alexandria, but driving precious cargo around Atlanta is a whole nother matter.
Transportation stops others from getting care.
Despite needing an income, I was relieved that Naborforce didn’t work out because it meant that I could spend more time working on a document that I get the feeling will open up paid opportunities for me. More importantly, paid opportunities I’ll want.
The document is called, “Quality Healthcare Requires the People Next Door.”
It imagines neighbors as more than users of healthcare but as producers of healthcare.
5% of adults—more commonly those in low-income families—reported going without needed care in the previous 12 months because of difficulty finding transportation.
That’s something I learned from doing research for my paper, and it triggered a thought about colonoscopies.
For those of you not in the know, people get a “twilight drug” to sedate them for the procedure. It takes time to wear off and medical facilities won’t release woozy patients to an undesignated driver.
So even if you can afford Uber, which many people can’t, it’s not going to help.
If you can’t find a known driver, no procedure. But people also forego “everyday” medical appointments due to transportation challenges too.
By serving as designated drivers, neighbors can help their neighbors get the care they need.
Besides colonoscopies, I thought about business and bartering.
For people who have frequent appointments, relying on one neighbor for transportation could become a problem. But it can also be an issue if…
1) you don’t have different neighbors to ask for rides, or
2) you have different neighbors to ask but finding one free at the right time is a headache.
That’s where a neighbor creating a tiny caring transportation company can be a godsend:
A company will be free for hire during working hours. But a neighbor as the driver means a designated driver. And that means more procedures.
As for the bartering part, I can see a neighbor offering an occasional ride in exchange for a home-cooked meal, for example.
Oh boy, I feel another document to write taking shape!
But before we get to that, here’s the one’s that ready now. 😊
Drive safely,
Mary-Elizabeth
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