Elder Care
The Elder Care van is operated by the Stillwater Area Community Services Center, Inc (SACC). It is supported by the Town of Stillwater, the City of Mechanicville, the Saratoga County Office for the Aging, and the contributions of its generous riders. The Elder Care van is used to transport seniors to medical facilities in Troy, Albany, Schenectady, Saratoga, and Glens Falls, and areas in between. Persons living in Mechanicville and traveling to a medical facility in Mechanicville are encouraged to use the Mechanicville bus system.

Elder Care Office, 518-664-2515 ext. 218

Service Hours

  • Transportation hours are Monday through Friday, 9am to 4pm.
  • There is no transportation from a doctor or medical facility after 4pm. Therefore, medical appointments should be made no later than 2pm, if return transportation is required. There may be exceptions for those on dialysis or chemo treatment (one additional hour), depending on service demand.
  • There will be no transportation on all federal holidays. This includes: New Year’s Day, Martin Luther King, Jr, Washington’s Birthday, Memorial Day, Independence Day, Labor Day, Columbus Day, Veterans Day, Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Eve/Day, and New Year’s Eve.

Eligibility

  • This program is for seniors, aged 60 or older, who are not on Medicaid, and whose physical home address is in the Town or Village of Stillwater, or the City of Mechanicville. Property tax bills will show your current local jurisdiction. A mailing address cannot be used to qualify.
  • Persons on Medicaid should call the Saratoga County Department of Social Services (DSS) at 884-4148 to see if they qualify. Also, please take note of information on the registration from pertaining to Medicaid transportation.
  • Persons on Medicaid who have been denied paid transportation from DSS must present proof to the Elder Care office. Without proof of DSS denial you will be denied transportation from SACC/Elder Care transportation. Should DSS approve paid transportation for you, you are required to notify SACC/Elder Care of this event.

Client Registration

  • All persons must fill out and sign a request for transportation (see attached form). All information is required, please leave no blanks.
  • All persons requesting transportation must fill out a new request as of April 1st each year. The Elder Care Driver is responsible for maintaining and tracking all paperwork.
  • Elder Care Transportation Registration Form

Services

  • Persons who are not wheelchair bound must be able to enter and exit the vehicle without assistance from the driver. Persons using a transport chair MUST be seated in the normal van seat. You cannot be seated in said chair while the van is moving. If we feel we are unable to safely transport any senior we reserve the right to deny transportation.
  • Persons wheelchair-bound will be assisted by the driver and the driver will attach safety straps to the wheelchair for security. Clients may be accompanied by an assistant when notified at the time appointment is made. The driver will also insure that all persons are secured with seat and shoulder belts. If we feel we are unable to safely transport any senior we reserve the right to deny transportation.
  • Due to the fact that dialysis appointments take up to 80% of our transportation time, persons being transported to dialysis as of June 1, 2013 will be handled on a case by case basis. We cannot guarantee three days a week transportation. We do not provide transportation on Saturday or Sunday.
  • Use of the Elder Care van for non-program use and after normal hours is not authorized.

Appointments for Transportation

  • It is requested that you call no later than three (3) work days in advance (not including Saturday or Sunday).
  • The program can take requests for transportation up to one (1) year in advance.
  • The more advance notice you provide the better the likelihood we are available for transportation.
  • Please only leave 1 message in the voicemail.
  • Please try to avoid cancellations because it does affect other seniors.
  • All calls will be returned with in two business days.

Weather and Emergencies

  • Driveways and walkways: Following a snow or ice storm, if the driveway or walkway is not cleared, the driver will not attempt to enter your property.
  • Travel during or after a snow or ice storm: A rule of thumb: If the Stillwater Area Schools are closed, there may not be any transportation provided. Should the driver decide to travel, he/she will call you. If you do not receive a call, then assume that transportation for the day has been canceled. It will be your responsibility to reschedule for both the doctor and transportation.
  • For emergencies and disasters, the can will be available at the discretion of the SACC Director or the President of the SACC Board of Directors.

Agency Contribution Policy

  • If you are traveling to a medical facility within the Saratoga County, a $3.00 donation is suggested. If you are traveling to a medical facility outside Saratoga County, a $5.00 donation is suggested. Donations are not required.
  • A locked donation box and small envelopes are kept in the Elder Car van. Passengers wishing to donate must put their cash or check in an envelope, and then in the box. Clients making donations with a check will receive a thank you note at the end of the year, with the total noted for tax purposes. All cash donations are made anonymously. The Elder Care Driver will be responsible for the end of the year totals.