Welcome to

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Our mission statement:

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Enabling older adults to live independently, avoid social isolation and age in place by providing free, volunteer-based transportation and other support services.

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We wouldn’t be here without you!

A little bit about our organization...

• Born in 1985 – we turn 40 this year!
• We are a coalition of Austin congregations offering a wide range of services to senior adults.
• Our amazing volunteers assist seniors in maintaining and improving their quality of life by

promoting their personal, social, and health-related well-being. We do this by providing:

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• Transportation to and from doctor’s appointments, church, the grocery store, etc.
• Assistance with computers or other electronics
• Light yard work
• Around the house help (changing light bulbs, hanging pictures, unpacking boxes, etc.)
• Errands/shopping
• Friendly calls

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• Our services are FREE – clients never pay a penny!

Client qualifications and expectations�

Clients must:

• be 60 years old or older
• live independently
• be able to get in/out of a vehicle with limited assistance (in order to receive rides)
• provide DASATX office a minimum of 3 business day notice for all ride requests
• inform DASATX office of any additional stops needed BEFORE day of ride
• treat all volunteers and employees with a respectful and friendly attitude

Volunteer qualifications and expectations �

All volunteers must:

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Complete our online training & registration course, which includes:

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• providing copies of a valid driver’s license and active car insurance
• choosing the way(s) in which they want to volunteer
• letting us know how often you would like to volunteer (there are no time requirements!)
• providing information and sign an authorization form for a background check

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Once onboarded and approved:

• call the client as soon as possible after accepting a ride or errand request. The volunteer is responsible for communicating with the client in order to introduce themselves and confirm the appointment pick-up time.
• ALWAYS say “no” when a client requests additional assistance beyond original agreement. (Excluding prescription pick ups: sometimes a senior will be prescribed a medication at the time of an appointment. In this case, we ask that if you are ABLE to pick up the prescription, that you let our office staff know first so we can add the errand to the client’s profile. If you are UNABLE to pick up the prescription, please contact our office and we will arrange pickup.)
• NOT accept tips from clients, but encourage the client to make a donation to the organization instead.
• ensure client safety to the best of their ability.
• treat all clients with a respectful and friendly attitude

COVID-19 Policy and Response Plan – Updated April 2025

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• Volunteers disinfect touch points of their vehicle, such as seat belts and door handles.
• For individual rides with a volunteer- Masks or face coverings are worn at the preference of clients and volunteers.
• Please have hand sanitizer readily available
• After transportation, you should wash your hands thoroughly with soap, preferably antibacterial soap, for at least 20 seconds.
• If you have any questions or concerns at all, please contact our office.

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*Our organization has plenty of disinfecting wipes, face masks, and hand sanitizer available to any active volunteer who needs them!*

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Transportation types

(a request’s “trip type” will be listed on the ride, so you will be aware before accepting)

Trip types:

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• Round trip - picking the client up from their home, taking them to their destination, and driving them back home.
• One-way - picking a client from the original location (can be home or at another destination) and dropping at a different location. For one-way rides, volunteers are not expected to go back/return client to the original destination.
• Split trip - typically scheduled ahead of time for appointments that are expected to last longer than 1 hour (two one way trips are scheduled, giving volunteers the option to only drive one way of the trip.

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***If you see a “round trip” request, but are only available to drive one way, please let us know! We can easily convert that request into two separate one way trips, and look for a driver to fill in the other leg of the trip.

Similarly, if you see a “split trip” request available, and you happen to be available to drive the client to AND from the destination, let us know! We can convert that request into a single “round trip”.***

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Transportation types

(a request’s “rider type” will be listed on the ride, so you will be aware before accepting)

Rider types:

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• Curb to curb - A volunteer calls the client to let them know when they are on their way to pick them up, then the client meets the volunteer outside their home. The volunteer then drops the client off outside the doors of their destination. You might assist the client getting in and out of the vehicle.
• Door to door - A volunteer calls the client to let them know when they are on their way to pick them up. Upon arrival, the volunteer knocks on the door/rings the doorbell to meet client and walk them to the car.You might assist the client getting in and out of the vehicle. The volunteer also walks the client to the doors of their doctor’s office/destination.
• Door through door - A volunteer calls the client to let them know when they are on their way to pick them up. Upon arrival, the volunteers knocks on the door/rings the doorbell to meet the client. The volunteer may need to go in to ensure that the client has grabbed their wallet/purse/insurance card/etc. Assist the client to the car. The volunteer then drops the client off at their destination, going in with them to make sure they get checked in and settled in the waiting room with no issues.

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How to accept volunteer requests

assistedrides.com

Steps:

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1. Log in to the “Assisted Rides” website (assistedrides.com) using your user ID and password to view all available volunteer requests.

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• Click on the dashboard tab OR the calendar tab to view all upcoming request that need a volunteer (click on any request to view all of the details, including information about the client.)

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• If that request works for you and you would like to volunteer, simply click the green “Yes, I want to volunteer” button on the left side of the page. You will then receive an email confirming all details of the request.
• After completing a request, you MUST log back in to Assisted Rides to “close out” the ride/service you completed (This is where you record miles driven and amount of time spent.)

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How to accept volunteer requests

assistedrides.com

QUICK REVIEW:

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• The time shown on the “AR” website reflects the time of the client’s APPOINTMENT, and the pick-up time.
• Once accepting a ride, you are responsible for calling the client to introduce yourself & confirm pick-up time.
• If you see a “round trip” ride that you are only available for one-way, please let us know and we can turn it into a “split trip”
• Clients are responsible for any potential parking charges
• We send 2 emails per week (per area) listing the pending rides that still need volunteers, and may reach out to you personally from time to time

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Client safety

• If a client does not answer their door, please call them. If they do not answer the phone after two tries, alert the office.
• If upon approaching a client’s home you hear them yelling for help, call 911 immediately. Proceed to check on client if the door is unlocked, then call the DASATX office.
• If a client falls, DO NOT PICK THEM UP RIGHT AWAY. (Allow yourself and the client time to assess the situation - a senior can cause extensive further damage to themselves if they don’t realize they are hurt and try to get up.) Call 911 if needed, then alert the office.
• Volunteers are responsible for ensuring basic safety requirements during a drive (wearing of seatbelts, maintaining speed limit, following of all traffic laws, not operating a cellphone while driving, etc.)
• Ask clients if they would like assistance before helping them in/out of the car. Some seniors with balance issues may be too shy to ask for help, while others are very independent and prefer you not to help unless they state that they need it.
• Make clients aware of stairs and other possible obstacles such as curbs, uneven walkways, etc.

Volunteer tips!

• Be mindful of vision/hearing limitations
• Ask the client if they have a handicap placard - this allows for better parking!
• Address clients respectfully by last name
• Be patient - some of our clients have cognitive disabilities, so you may hear the same question or story more than once
• Be cheerful - keep a sense of humor, this is a very unnerving time in their lives thanks to the pandemic. Try to make them smile!
• Be genuinely interested - listen with empathy, ask encouraging questions to learn more about the senior
• Share yourself - describe your world! Our seniors would LOVE to hear all about your new puppy, your cute nephew, your job, your wedding, etc.

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If you have any questions, please reach out to:

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Deborah Nieves

Volunteer Coordinator�volunteer@driveasenioratx.org�512-472-6339