Alice A. from Wilmington Senior Center:
My approach has been to listen very carefully at the first call. I want the person to know I am “there for them.” I listen to them talk about their loss, the upset at losing their license and the anger they feel at the “DMV.” It seems to help the callers most when I “try to put myself in their shoes”

I want them to know that I understand that this is a big change in their lives and that we can help them through it over time. I am able to help them with information about resources in our area such as taxi vouchers, local transit to go shopping and get to the Senior Center for lunch and activities.

I would tell family members to talk to their older relative about how they can and will help them, give them the support they need at this difficult time.

Elizabeth R. from the Hawthorne Senior Center:
I remember a caller who told me that it would be the “end of her life” because she couldn’t drive anymore. I listened very carefully to make sure that she wasn’t talking about suicide, but she wasn’t. She just felt that way because she didn’t know how she would get to the doctor, out shopping, etc. I spoke to her about the transportation provided through the Inglewood Senior Center which would help her get to the doctor, help her to go to the market and then she could purchase taxi vouchers through the Senior Center for other trips. She had never used any of these resources and was surprised to learn about them and how they can help her now.

The emotional support I offer to seniors is care, concern and active listening. I don’t judge their anger or upset but try to understand where they are coming from because it is a crisis in their life at that moment.

Richard A. from the Hollywood Multipurpose Senior Center:
What works best for me is to be available to the caller not just one time but if they need to call back to talk to me. On the first call, I often just listen and provide support. When they call back the second or third time, then they might be ready for more concrete help like resources in their area or to have me help them with a transportation plan. They usually won’t deal with any of this on the first call.

This program has enabled me to help others who haven’t lost their license but people who are thinking about “retiring from driving.” I am able to tell them about resources and that there is “life after driving.” It has helped me to look into my future and make a plan for the day that I won’t be driving.

I have now started to thinking about using the bus and the light rail in Los Angeles just to see how I would like it. Actually its a lot less of a hassle than driving because its cheaper and I don’t have to fight the crazy traffic!

Dorothy G. from Jewish Family Service:
I remember a caller who told me that she wouldn’t be able to get her food or medication because she couldn’t drive anymore. She was crying and very upset because she was also someone with very little outside social supports. She really wanted someone to listen to her, and I did. Even though she was upset about losing her license she also confided in me that she didn’t feel as safe driving anymore.

During another conversation with her I was able to share many resources with her that are available through Jewish Family Service. She didn’t know about the taxi vouchers, the dial-a-ride program to get to the market and to her doctor. She also had never visited the senior center to find out about all the other resources available to her. I offered to help her with a transportation plan and to calculate the amount of money she would have available to pay for transportation since she won’t be using her money on car related expenses. She was so pleased to know about this.

I do see a full “life after driving” because I actually don’t like to drive these days. The traffic congestion “road rage” aren’t things I’ll miss when I’m not driving. with all the congestion and “road rage.” I will enjoy being a passenger and letting someone else do the driving.