Respite Care

Medical Appointments Dept: That's why Rupert's Land Caregiver Services offers the Ring-A-Ride Program. For a small fee to cover mileage, seniors enrolled in the program can request a return ride to medical appointments, shopping trips and visits with spouses who are now living in personal-care homes, according to Winnipeg Free Press. "I had a mother who had Alzheimer's and I could have done with some respite care but that sort of service didn't exist then," explained White. "I wanted to be able to give a bit back by giving some respite care to some people." Getting around town can be tough for Winnipeg seniors, particularly in the winter months. Buses don't provide door-to-door service. Sidewalks are icy. Cabs are expensive. Joan White, a 62-year-old retiree, has been a volunteer driver with the program for the past three years. She initially came to the agency wanting to do volunteer respite care -- looking after an ailing or dependent individual while the caregiver takes a break to run errands or go to appointments. She said she knows first-hand the challenges and difficulties individuals in the caregiver role can face. (www.immigrantscanada.com). As reported in the news.