BANGOR — Penquis C.A.P., Inc. (Penquis) was awarded $5,000 from the Maine Charity Foundation Fund of the Maine Community Foundation. The grant is being used to support transportation at no cost for adults aged 60-plus in Penobscot and Piscataquis counties who need rides for any purpose, including medical appointments, grocery shopping, and socialization.
According to AARP, 77 percent of older adults want to age in place, a practice shown to have health, emotional, and cost benefits. This can be especially difficult in rural Maine, where transportation is necessary to access services but transportation options are limited and can be costly. In Piscataquis and Penobscot counties, adults aged 60 and older account for 35.9 and 25.8 percent of residents, respectively, according to the Census. For many of those older adults, having accessible and affordable transportation is necessary for them to continue to live independently. Penquis Transportation Services is using the grant funds to continue its crucial support in providing transportation assistance to older adults in these counties.
“We thank the Maine Community Foundation and the Maine Charity Foundation Fund for helping to support accessible transportation for older adults, including those who live in rural areas,” said Penquis Transportation Services Director Steven Richard. “Many older adults live alone, and, without affordable transportation options, they may not be able to access needed services. This fund will help in breaking down financial barriers that prevent access to transportation and, in turn, support greater access to healthcare, socialization, and other needs. Penquis Transportation’s continued reach throughout the rural service area will promote better health outcomes and help elder Mainers remain in their homes longer.”
Penquis Transportation Services is the Maine DOT Regional Transportation Provider for Penobscot and Piscataquis counties and the MaineCare Non-emergency Medical Transportation Broker for Penobscot, Piscataquis, Kennebec, and Somerset counties. Penquis’ transportation service area is primarily rural, covering nearly 7400 square miles.
For more information about transportation services provided by Penquis, visit www.penquis.org or call 207-973-3695.
