Transportation Services for Seniors

It’s often a troubling time for seniors when the day comes that they can no longer drive safely.

After all, although they may have difficulty seeing and their reaction times may have slowed, they still have a lot of life left to live and things that they want to accomplish and experience. So, it’s difficult for them to accept that they might not be able to go where they want whenever they want like they always have. For many older adults, giving up your driver’s license can be akin to losing your freedom.

Fortunately, while it used to be that you had to live in a larger city to have access to personal transportation services or public transportation like bus lines or light rail trains, today there are many options in communities of all sizes across the country.

Not only do many senior-oriented organizations offer personal transportation services, but the rise of car services makes getting a ride wherever you want to go any time of day both physically and financially easier.

Personal Transportation Services Available for Seniors:

• Uber and Uber Health – In 15 years, Uber has expanded its ride services to take people wherever they want to go. It’s accessible through a convenient and easy-to-use app, which lets the user know when their driver arrives, what model and color vehicle they’re looking for, and even gives their license plate number so there’s no guessing who your driver is. Still, if your senior isn’t smart phone savvy, they can opt to use Uber Health, which allows senior centers to request, pay, and manage rides without having seniors sign up for the app. By doing this, seniors can schedule hassle free trips to their medical appointments.
• Lyft – Much like Uber, Lyft is a car service operated by linking drivers to people in need of a ride. Lyft also offers senior services to those who don’t feel comfortable using a smartphone or computer. Through its Lyft Up program, older adults can get discounted rides to work, grocery stores and medical appointments.
• Go Go Grandparent – While Lyft and Uber offer some services geared to those who don’t use smart phones, Go Go Grandparent eliminates the need entirely, allowing seniors to simply call and make an appointment for a ride. They tell the operator where they want to go and where they need to be picked up. It’s that simple! The service’s call lines are operated 24 hours a day, seven days a week and can often dispatch a driver in 15 minutes or less.
• Community Transportation Association of America – Many communities across the country offer volunteer ride services. You can find out if there are any in your area by visiting the CTAA Website, which features an interactive map you can use to search for options. There are several in the St. Louis metropolitan area, located on both sides of the Mississippi River.
• St. Louis Area Agency on Aging – Another great place to find information about transportation in your region is your local Area Agency on Aging. It offers information about a variety of senior services you might not have been aware of, including transportation options. On its senior transportation page, you can find out how to get a Gateway Go Pass, find information about accessibility options in St. Louis, get a public transportation map or arrange for senior transportation.
• Bethesda Transportation Services – For those who live in a Bethesda community, Bethesda works diligently to provide transportation for its residents who need to go to a doctor’s appointment. In addition, Bethesda can provide an escort to ride along with your senior loved one to make sure they get to and from their appointments safely through its Senior Support Solutions service. The escort will share the results of the appointment to the family or caregiver if requested.

Maintaining Mobility

Being able to get around is vital to your senior loved one’s quality of life. Their mobility allows them to socialize with friends and family and to feel confident that they can take care of themselves, which eliminates feelings of isolation and depression. It allows seniors to stay on top of their health needs by making it to their medical appointments, and generally makes life a lot more fun. So, keep your older parent on the move and in the prime of their life by connecting them with one or more of these transportation options today!

Find new ways to explore on Bethesda’s Senior Living blog.