Referring an Elder to the Medical Escort Program

Little Brothers-Friends of the Elderly (LBFE) is a volunteer-based program providing emotional and practical assistance to elderly people who do not have the support of family or friends in the Bay Area. Staff recruit, train, and support volunteers who perform virtually all of the service provided by LBFE.

LBFE’s Medical Escort Program is a program of last resort for elders who need medical escort services. We recruit volunteers to accompany and escort homebound and isolated seniors who cannot drive and are not able to take Para transit or taxis alone, to and from medical appointments and home after a hospital stay. Trips can be one way or round trip.

Little Brothers-Friends of the Elderly is not a regular transportation service – but is an important emergency resource when an elder has no other viable transportation for a medical appointment or hospital release and LBFE has an available volunteer.

ELDERS ARE ELIGIBLE FOR OUR PROGRAM IF THEY:

1. Live in San Francisco.
2. Isolated or frail elderly over age 60.
3. Unable to drive or take public transportation without assistance.
4. Transportation is for a medical appointment or hospital release.
5. Limit of four round trip (or eight one way) escorts per person each program year. (Or one round trip per quarter)

Escorts are provided by trained volunteers and need to be scheduled at least two weeks in advance. In emergency situations LBFE can schedule escorts with less than one week’s notice, but that is rare.

Scheduling an escort begins by filling out both a Referral Form (for new clients) as well as the Escort Form. The Escort Form includes the need for important information such as date and time of the appointment, name, address and phone number of the doctor’s office, hospital or clinic.

Download the Elder Referral Form >>

Please feel free to contact us if you have any questions, or need any additional information.