When Walt Clarke first learned of the transit services that the non-profit organization, Made to Stay, offered to elderly and disabled persons, he was a little bit hesitant to make the financial commitment.
“To be honest, I wasn’t sure I could afford it,” Walt said. “I was used to using the PATS bus and calling taxis to get to my doctors’ appointments. Both options are fine, but it would take so much time.”
Walt had little to no control over when his rides would arrive to pick him up for his various appointments and he wasn’t sure that he was saving money in the long run. So he decided to give Made to Stay’s transit service a try. After six months with the program he found the services to be affordable and well worth the investment.
“They are terrific. They do anything I need them to do and they are always on time,” Walt said. “I did the math not long ago and I am definitely saving money. It has made a big difference in my life. I am really happy that I joined.”
Walt is like many older adults who have grown dependent on friends, family and neighbors for assistance in getting to the places they need to be throughout the week. Many of these individuals value their independence and welcome an alternative to asking friends and relatives for rides.
Made to Stay is a 501 (c) 3 non-profit organization, which coordinates transportation for elderly and disabled individuals who live in McCracken County. For an annual fee, individuals are allowed up to eight trips per month to go to various events, including hair appointments, pet grooming visits, doctors’ appointments and whatever else may come up during the month.
While elderly individuals in McCracken County are certainly benefitting from the services that Made to Stay provides, caretakers are equally thrilled. Those caring for loved ones are often overwhelmed by the responsibilities that come with assisting their aging friends and relatives, so Made to Stay has relieved much of that stress by providing a resource to assist with transportation on a regular basis.
“Members are so appreciative of what we do, but so are their families,” Carol Wright, executive director says. “They tell us about the positive impact that our service has on the people whom we serve.”
No one better understands the daily struggles of taking care of a loved one more than Carol and her husband, Dave Wright, the founders of Made to Stay.
“After caring for my mother for several years, my husband and I were aware of the problems and issues that caretakers face in caring for loved ones,” Carol said. “In January 2014, we watched a program that talked about a village network that was providing services to elderly people in Boston and we thought, ‘Wow, why don’t we bring this to Paducah?’”
The more Carol and Dave spoke with friends who were also caring for aging parents and in-laws, the more they realized that there was a need in McCracken County to create this service. So they set up the organization, applied for their non-profit status and began recruiting volunteers.
The organization is very protective and cautious about who is allowed to work with their members. Volunteers must submit to a background check. They must maintain an impeccable driving record and are required to carry a specified level of insurance. Volunteers are interviewed to ensure that drivers are well suited to work with the people for whom they provide transportation.
“In October 2009, Insurance News Magazine published a report showing that individuals who live in institutional care have a shorter life expectancy than those living independently,” Carol says. “Our goal at Made to Stay is to keep our members healthy enough to avoid a nursing home for as long as possible.”
Made to Stay is currently looking for volunteers to assist their members with transportation. They are managed by a volunteer staff and a board of directors. For more information on the organization, visit their website, www.madetostay.org.
