[ READ a Vermont Public report by Nina Keck on ESI’s expansion of services to Chittenden and Rutland Counties. ]

[ Read more: Rutland County (PDF) | Chittenden County (PDF) ]

MIDDLEBURY, Vt.—Bolstered by a recent Mobility and Transportation Innovations grant award, Elderly Services will be extending transportation services beyond Addison County to improve access to adult day services for elders and their caregivers in Chittenden and Rutland Counties.

“Although our primary service area remains Addison County, we are aware of significant needs for adult day services to our neighbors north and south,” said ESI Executive Director Kristin Bolton. “There are 22 adult day slots available in all of Chittenden County with a long waiting list, and there are no programs currently available in Rutland County. We already serve residents of Brandon, and would like to offer greater access to our adult day services to both counties.”

The Alzheimer’s association estimates that 10 percent of adults in Chittenden County, or 2,800 people over the age of 65, have a diagnosis of Alzheimer’s Disease. The association also estimates 1,300 elders in Rutland County live with the disease. “Many people living with dementia want to remain in their homes and communities,” says Bolton, “and adult day services are the most affordable and critical support system for caregivers who desperately need respite.”

The primary barrier for expanding the reach of the programs currently offered by Elderly Services is transportation. To that end, ESI launched a small pilot program this summer into Chittenden County, bringing 1-3 new folks per day from a designated location in South Burlington. “We have not yet advertised this program, since we needed funding to build the route, train drivers and secure new vehicles,” Bolton said. “Receiving the Mobility and Transportation Innovations Grant allows us to move ahead.”

Bolton said the new project will allow Elderly Services to achieve two goals—to expand its program into areas of high need and to begin the process of replacing ESI’s fleet of gas-powered vehicles with electric vehicles. According to Bolton, ESI vans currently travel more than 131,000 miles per year and switching to electric vehicles for these new routes will save about 30 gallons of gas daily or 7,500 gallons per year.

“Since we are now generating electricity on site at a discounted rate,” she said, “we will save money, fuel and reduce carbon emissions while caring for more people who need our services. We use five vans and three smaller vehicles to provide transportation, but we have begun the transformation with the recent acquisition of two smaller electric vehicles. Adding the E-Transit 12 passenger electric vans to our fleet thanks to this grant will help us realize significant cost reductions and positive environmental change.”

Elderly Services has been operating its award-winning adult day program, Project Independence, since 1981 and today serves more than 100 elders, many living with dementia or other disabilities, and provides respite for their caregivers. More than 65 percent of participants depend on the existing transportation services provided by ESI via 15-20 door-to-door routes each day, up to 100 runs per week.

Said Bolton, “We are excited to move forward with this important project and improve access to essential services to more people within our region.”