"When my husband John had a stroke about two years ago, that was the biggest challenge of my life," Betty Gerber said.

"We've been married now for 64 years in November, so we've always done everything together and to wake up one day and suddenly in a matter of minutes that all changes and he is no longer able to live at home is a huge adjustment."

After her husband moved into an aged care home, Mrs Gerber would visit him everyday to feed him and keep him company, but after an accident wrote off her vehicle, she was forced to make a quick decision.

This resulted in purchasing a car that turned out to be a lemon, breaking down on multiple occasions.

"Sometimes it's only a couple of days a part where I have to get help with the car, and NRMA would have to tow it away, sometimes they keep it for days and can never figure out what is wrong," Mrs Gerber said.

While there are a few courtesy buses around, Mrs Gerber said they require booking and aren't always available for emergencies which can happen "anywhere, anytime".

"One of my friends wasn't well, we didn't know what was going to happen, and I went straight in the car to visit her but the damn thing didn't start and I had to get a taxi," she said.

"Because I spent so much money on the taxi that day already, I couldn't visit my husband anymore because I just didn't have the money."

Mrs Gerber visits a few people in aged care homes.

"One lady I visit at the nursing home has no one else for company and support, so I like to get her little things she might want and just keep her spirits up," she said.

"We play cards or chat, and they enjoy having someone to keep them busy, plus it makes me feel good too, I need it as much as they do."

Mrs Gerber's daughter Christine said the options available for people like her mother are limited, and simple things like transport have a huge impact on their lives.

"Mum is so independent, so she likes to go to bingo and raffles, socialising and those sorts of things, and now the business with the car has thrown an already hard situation out of whack," she said.

"She can't always go and visit dad, she's stuck at home and he's stuck without company then too."

Mrs Gerber said a reliable vehicle at an affordable price would "mean the world" to her, and hopes the community can get on board with selling cars they rarely use or no longer need.

"It isn't just me though, how many other people feel like I do?" she said.

"I've lost part of my life, a big part."