By JACCI GRUNINGER
Executive Director
LARSO

Note: This is the third column in a series written by Executive Director Jacci Gruninger to introduce Los Alamos Retired and Senior Organization and its services to the community.

As we age, we often don’t feel comfortable driving any more or we get to a point where we can no longer safely drive ourselves. It can be challenging to rely on family and friends for this task.

The Los Alamos Retired and Older Adult Organization (LARSO), provides a free ride service catered to meet these transportation needs (a $4 per ride donation is always appreciated). The initiative aims to provide older adults with convenient and reliable transportation to doctor’s appointments, the hairdresser, shopping and more within the County. We also provide rides to doctor’s appointments outside of Los Alamos County through our Volunteer Rides program.

The free ride program is designed to offer not just transportation, but also a sense of comfort and companionship. The team at LARSO is made up of friendly and amazing staff who are dedicated to ensuring that older adults have a positive and enjoyable experience whenever they need to get around. From the moment they step into one of our vehicles, older adults can expect to be greeted by a warm and welcoming team that is committed to making their journeys a pleasant and stress-free experience.

“We understand the challenges that older adults may face when it comes to transportation, and we are delighted to be able to offer this service to the community,” Transportation Coordinator Lindsay Smith  said. “Our goal is to not only provide a means of transportation but also to create meaningful connections with the older adults we serve.”

The free ride service is available to all LARSO members aged 60 and over within the county and can be booked by contacting the Transportation Department at 505-662-8922 or visiting our website to make your reservation (www.larso.org/transportation). Rides are available Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. We ask that you please give us 24 hours’ notice for a ride request.

If you are age 60+, reside in our county, and are interested in using our ride service (or any of our other services!), but you are not yet a member of LARSO, please contact our Membership Coordinator Joanne Garcia by calling 505.662.7957 or emailing hdm@losalamosseniorcenter.com.

This program allows our older adults to continue living their lives fully, getting to their appointments, and running their errands without having to worry about transportation issues or feeling isolated.

We are always looking for drivers for our Volunteer Ride program. If you are a stay-at-home parent or someone who has time during the weekdays to help an older adult get to a doctor’s appointment, please contact our Volunteer Office at lava@losalamosseniorcenter.com.