How one Turner Station Community turned Concerns for Older Adults During a Pandemic into Something Much Larger
Like in so many other Maryland communities, Turner Station residents had their share of struggles during the pandemic. The once bustling Fleming Senior Center in this historic Baltimore County community went silent, and many community members began to worry for their older residents. This inspired long-time community volunteer Arkia Wade to assemble a small group of volunteers and initiate an adopt-a-senior program to make monthly calls to older adults suffering from isolation. Eventually those calls lead to in-home visits, creating deeper connections through shared interests.
During one such visit, Arkia’s older companion, Judy Ellis, shared the difficulties she was having getting to and from her doctor appointments and asked Arkia to give her a ride. Arkia immediately agreed.
“Along the way we were talking and laughing, and I could feel a sense of relief,” said Arkia. “That was just one less worry she had to deal with.”
Arkia started to wonder how many others were having similar transportation difficulties. She discovered that between public transportation and personal mobility difficulties, some neighbors were spending an entire day getting to and from each appointment—often skipping meals to do so. Others she feared were avoiding essential errands and appointments altogether. So she began the process of extending her volunteer project into
Neighborhood Companions, a robust nonprofit that provides rides and companion services to dozens of older adults throughout Turner Station.
Neighborhood Companions is committed to addressing the widespread challenges faced by older adults with mobility issues who lack reliable transportation. A range of programs for aging in place are offered, including health and wellness events, tablet distribution initiatives, and social opportunities that allow older Turner Station residents to connect with community members of all ages. What once began as simple transportation to vital appointments now tackles the broader issue of preventing isolation from leading to unmet needs.
“As a senior member of the Turner Station community, I have experienced the isolation and inconvenience of getting about,” said Judy Ellis, Arkia’s companion. “These conditions apply to many seniors as they lose their ability to drive a car. I therefore commend Ms. Wade for her thoughtfulness in an effort to end this problem.”
Arkia is quick to thank the Maryland Department of Aging for funding support through a healthy aging grant that allowed Neighborhood Companions to hire a part-time employee, get insured, obtain bookkeeping services, and purchase important software to help manage her programs.
“I would not be here today if I didn’t have that Maryland Department of Aging grant,” said Arkia. “ I’ve had challenges along the way like setting up my funding, and the Department of Aging staff have been very, very supportive. They are so invested in my success. It means the world to me.”
Neighborhood Companions primarily operates in the historic Turner Station community of Baltimore County, with plans to extend its services farther into Dundalk and surrounding areas. For more information or to get involved, visit
neighborhoodcompanions.org. If you’d like to learn more about MDOA’s Supportive Communities program, visit
aging.maryland.gov.
