Bethesda is happy to announce the establishment of its new Transportation Assistance Fund with its first grant of $15,000 from East Missouri Foundation. The funds will assist economically disadvantaged seniors who live in Bethesda’s skilled nursing communities by providing reliable and safe transportation to appointments for physical therapy, doctor and specialist appointments, dialysis, and cancer treatments.
“Providing reliable and safe medical transportation through a reputable non-emergency medical transportation partner is central to both quality care and ensuring a high quality of life for our seniors,” says Carrie Vahldieck, Administrator at Bethesda Dilworth, one of Bethesda’s skilled nursing communities.
At any given time, there are approximately 300 economically disadvantaged and Medicaid eligible/pending residents living within Bethesda’s six skilled nursing communities. “This marginalized population often experience transportation barriers that may lead to missed doctor’s appointments, delayed care, or delayed medication use,” Carrie says.
Timely and appropriate medical treatments and reliable transportation options lead to better health outcomes. The generous gift from East Missouri Foundation will provide the much-needed funding to assist Medicaid seniors with dependable transportation. This grant is another step to fulfilling Bethesda’s mission and providing every senior with the dignity and respect they so richly deserve.
