ROME – Rome Memorial Hospital purchased a 10-passenger handicapped-accessible bus for the residents of its Residential Health Care Facility (RHCF) with the help of a $33,995 grant from the Department of Transportation.

The bus will be used to assist the 80-bed skilled nursing facility in transporting its residents to doctors’ appointments and RHCF field trips.

"Having the bus will provide an added level of convenience for our residents," said Debra Wurz, administrator of the Residential Health Care Facility. "One of the most difficult things for seniors to give up is driving, because it limits their ability to get where they need to go. Having a bus onsite may give our residents a greater sense of independence knowing that it’s available."

The RHCF is recruiting volunteers to help drive its residents to appointments. Volunteers just need a clean driving record and will receive free training. "A commercial license isn’t required because of the size of the bus," Wurz said. Birnie Bus will teach the volunteers how to operate the bus and its wheelchair lift.

Anyone interested in volunteering may call Debra Wurz at 338-7318.