Joyce Carol Oates: sad to hear of older persons who don't make appointments for essential procedures like colonoscopies because, in our state at least, you have to have someone whom you know pick you up after the procedure; you can't hire a taxi or uber.  most of their friends are older like themselves & don't drive; one said, "I don't want to bother my relatives any more than I need to."   are other states like N.J.?  all things having to do with health care seem to be increasingly hostile, difficult especially for not-wealthy people who live alone.