Options are plentiful and varied for helping senior citizens in need

Q: I have a growing interest in older people. Through an increased appreciation for my grandparents' generation and my job at Microsoft, where we're working to make our products more accessible for people with disabilities, I realize I'd like to volunteer in some capacity weekday evenings, maybe some weekends.

— Stacy Ployhar, Seattle

A: Good for you, Stacy. There are several places to start.

Senior Information & Assistance keeps track of volunteer opportunities within its programs, such as driving people to medical appointments (see next question), delivering Meals-on-Wheels to people's homes, working in senior centers and the like. For information on what's available in King, Kitsap, Pierce and Snohomish counties, call 888-4ELDERS (888-435-3377). For King County, you can go online at www.seniorservices.org, then click on "Volunteer Opportunities."

United Way also operates a volunteer bank. In King County, call 206-461-3655 or go online at www.uwkc.org. As you'll see, there's a huge need for volunteer drivers.

But neither of these offer a personal relationship with an older person, and most require volunteers to be available during the workday. You will probably find more of what you're looking for at Friend to Friend, a nonprofit that matches volunteers with older people living in retirement communities, assisted-living faculties and nursing homes.

Marilyn Soderquist of Des Moines, its manager, says, "Sixty percent of all nursing-home residents never have a visitor. Our goal is to change that." Started by Marilyn's father in 1974 with 10 homes and a handful of volunteers, Friend to Friend now operates in more than 270 facilities in five counties and has 500 volunteers of all ages, even children. "One-on-one visiting is important," Soderquist says, "because that's our dignity — that's when we know someone cares about us." Visiting times vary, depending on the volunteer's schedule. For more information, call 206-246-5150 or toll free at 888-383-7818, or go online to www.friendtofriendamerica.org.

Q: I need someone to go with me to medical appointments at the Swedish Pain Center but have been unable to find anyone on the Eastside. I'm willing to pay a reasonable fee.

A: There are lots of gaps in our system that serves people with disabilities, and transportation looms as one of the largest. In a nation that worships cars, convenient alternatives are scarce. Here are a few local options:

Senior Services' Volunteer Transportation Service provides rides to medical appointments at 206-448-5740. Although free, the suggested donation is $3/roundtrip. You can call months in advance to schedule a driver, but the deadline is no later than Wednesday the week before your appointment. You'll receive confirmation on Friday.

Rides are not guaranteed, but 95 percent to 99 percent of all requests are approved. Lower priority is given to persons who:

• Earn more than $3,000 a month

• Use wheelchairs (drivers must be able to lift one in and out of the car, and most drivers are older)

• Travel at rush hour — best times are between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m.; and need a ride across Lake Washington — a lot of Eastside drivers want to stay on the Eastside.

Low-income seniors and people with disabilities can arrange transportation to medical appointments and shopping through Volunteer Chore Services at 425-562-6850 or, toll free, 888-649-6850.

A third option is to call home-care agencies and ask if they help with transportation. You can get a list from your local Senior Information & Assistance (see previous question). Or, for agencies in King County, go online at www.seniorservices.org. Click on "Community Resources," then "Downloadable documents center," then "Go to documents page," and select "Options for Hiring Household Help."

The first part of this database lists numerous home-care agencies, with a matrix showing what each offers. An "X" under "companionship," which is defined as possibly providing transportation, helps you target whom to call. Their practices vary, so it may take a little research. Expect to pay around $20 an hour.

Pages 17-20 list specialty businesses, such as those that help with bill-paying, delivering meals or groceries, taking pets to the groomers, in-home haircuts and perms and transportation. Take a look — it's amazing to see the growing array of businesses serving older people.

Pages 21-23 lists job banks that might be able to refer you to individuals in your area whom you could interview, screen and hire to perform what you need.

Metro operates "Access," a van service in King County for people too disabled to ride the bus, or offers discounted taxi script for low-income people. You can find out more at 206-263-3113.

Liz Taylor, a specialist on aging and long-term care, counsels individuals and teaches workshops on how to plan for one's aging — and aging parents. E-mail her at growingolder@seattletimes.com or write to P. O. Box 11601, Bainbridge Island, WA 98110.