Bridge, Pip, and Groceries: Ms. Chen Keeps Her Independence

Ms. Chen, 85, is a fiercely independent Calgarian with a jam-packed social calendar, centered around her weekly bridge club meeting on the other side of the city. While she's mentally sharp, driving in city traffic became a source of anxiety, leading her to give up her license.

Suddenly, her routine was complicated: how would she get to bridge? Who would take her terrier, Pip, to the vet? How would she manage her weekly shopping trip?

Her daughter, working a demanding job, felt guilty about not being able to fill the transportation gap.

The Sunny Solution:

Ms. Chen enrolled in our Transportation & Support service, which includes dedicated driving and companion support. Every Wednesday, our helper, Robyn, arrives promptly to drive Ms. Chen to her bridge club. She’s there to chat during the trip and ensures she’s settled before heading off to complete her errands.

While Ms. Chen is enjoying her game, Robyn picks up the specific groceries she needs and, on alternating weeks, manages Pip's walks and vet appointments. This arrangement is flexible—one week, Robyn waited for her at the clinic; the next, she simply drove her to a special exhibit at the Glenbow Museum.

The Result: Life, Uninterrupted

“Robyn is my social lifeline,” Ms. Chen states. “I don’t feel like a burden to my daughter, and I haven’t missed a bridge game in six months! I’m still running my life, I just have a friendly chauffeur and errand runner now.”

At Sunny Senior Services, we understand that true independence is about maintaining the routines that bring joy and meaning to your life. We are here to fill those gaps, one errand, one bridge game, and one vet visit at a time.