Geri Arsenault has a strict schedule to follow.

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            She is a senior who requires kidney dialysis three times a week at the Prince County Hospital. Each session lasts about four hours.

 

            But she says her poor vision prevents her from being able to drive from her Augustine Cove home to her appointments. She relies on a volunteer group to drive her.

            

            She says it is challenging when making the journey.

 

            “It’s just a long time to spend in town.”

 

            Joe McCardle hopes to extend a helping hand to seniors like Arsenault.

 

            McCardle, 78, wants to start a program in Prince and Queens counties to help seniors and others lacking transportation get to their medical appointments.

 

             “It’s just a matter of being aware to reach out and help.”

 

            McCardle was first inspired five years ago, after helping Arsenault and volunteering to deliver blood samples to hospitals from Crapaud’s health clinic.

 

            He saw a growing need for transportation services in communities in and around his home in Hampton.

 

            “People are always willing to step up if they’re aware of what needs to be done.”

 

            He and a friend volunteer to drive seniors like Arsenault to medical appointments. His wife Connie coordinates with a separate group to help Arsenault with her dialysis.

 

            McCardle says he wants to create a new program with more volunteer drivers.

 

            “We don’t want the responsibility of coordinating, but we will step up because we can drive…and that’s easy for us to do.”

 

            This year, McCardle plans to present his project to the South Shore Chamber of Commerce, in the hopes it will back his proposal. If approved, he can obtain grants for driver mileage from the provincial government.

 

            He had previously presented the idea to both Crapaud and Victoria’s town councils. They have considered it but have not decided if they are backing it.

 

            The project will involve volunteer drivers using their own vehicles to transport patients to their appointments.

 

            McCardle says specialized vehicles are unnecessary due to high cost and Class 4 license requirements.

 

            “That’s not something I would see being something that rural areas would have to address.”

 

            Students would be hired to identify eligible citizens with needs between Charlottetown and Summerside.

 

            McCardle said he hopes to see the program expanded across P.E.I. if it were approved and successful in his region.

 

            “If this little bit of community involvement helps that, then I think it’s a very valuable service.”

 

            P.E.I. does have some support for seniors. The government recently announced the Seniors Independence Initiative (SII).

            

            The SII program provides up to $1,800 of financial assistance to seniors for several services, including transportation.

 

            But the SII program is exclusive for seniors, whereas McCardle’s program allows anyone who needs transportation to take advantage of it, regardless of age.

 

            McCardle said he is also open to his program providing transportation services for other purposes, such as grocery shopping, to those in need. The province would also provide money to cover mileage for these services.

 

            “It just takes away a lot of pressure from seniors wanting to stay in their own home, knowing there are services available out there to them.”

 

             Meanwhile, Arsenault is excited for the potential project.

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             She said she is aware of the SII program, but when it comes to transportation, she prefers her arrangement with the McCardles.

 

             “I just hate going through the government red tape.”

 

            McCardle will meet with officials of the South Shore Chamber of Commerce this fall to discuss the project.

 

            He hopes the project will go ahead.

 

            “It may only be once a week, it may only be once a month, but you feel worthy of reaching out to do something for somebody.”