Driver for my mom

[SquirrellyMama]

My mom has moved to the town I live in. It is a small town that is sandwiched in-between 2 larger towns. 

I'm trying to find someone to drive her to an exercise class 3 days a week and then shopping on those same days. 

I just can't figure out where to find this service. It wouldn't be Uber/Lyft because I want the same person each time and they would need to stay around where she is to take her back home. 

When I do find someone, how would you go about figuring out what to pay them? Mileage, time, and gas? The exercise class in really close to where she lives, but she can't walk it easily and not in cold weather. That lasts for 45 minutes. It is Ina building with the library. There is also a coffee shop close by. The city north of us is 10 minutes away. I'd guess she would shop for an hour. The person driving her won't need to go in the store with her, but would need to be ready when she is. The driver could go get coffee or read a book? Would these be reasonable?

Thanks! Kelly

[prairiewindmomma]

Here that’s $20-25/hour plus mileage.

ETA: home aide agencies are where I would look, as they will be bonded, but if you are in a small town, I’d post a notice at the post office or wherever such things are done. Moms with kids in school may also be interested.

Edited November 21, 2021 by prairiewindmomma

[Catwoman]

You can probably just hire a taxi service to do regular pickups like that. 

[WildflowerMom]

Every now and then we have someone ask things like this on Nextdoor.    You might want to check there as far as finding someone.   I'm not sure about the payment part. 

[mlktwins]

16 minutes ago, prairiewindmomma said:

Here that’s $20-25/hour plus mileage.

ETA: home aide agencies are where I would look, as they will be bonded, but if you are in a small town, I’d post a notice at the post office or wherever such things are done. Moms with kids in school may also be interested.

Yes, I would also call a home aide agency.  I did this when my dad was going to PT 3 times a week.

[Jean in Newcastle]

Look on Care.com.  They have drivers listed there.  According to the site it's $16.25 per hour on average.  I don't know if they have any for your area though. 

[KungFuPanda]

Why can’t she Uber and have a different driver? The app is so easy and you can order rides in advance now. 

[happi duck]

Our town has a senior program for that.  It would be worth asking!

[Scarlett]

Sounds like a dream job for a mom who has kids in school.  She could do her own grocery shopping when your mom does, read a book while she goes to exercise class.  

I would prefer that to Uber myself.  But Uber might be less expensive.

[mathnerd]

My town has a program for seniors to pick them for door to door driving like this.

Other than that, there are several parents in my subdivision who send their kids to a far away public school through Uber and they choose the same mom with a minivan who drives kids when her teens are at school. There is a feature in Uber, apparently, that allows one to choose from a "Favorite Driver" list.

[Ottakee]

I would check with the local senior center.  If using Uber, etc make sure that they are reliable in a smaller town.  I know our area only has some service and generally only weekend evenings.