Transportation for seniors: Which services are best for you?

This article is courtesy of seniorwing.com

Why use senior transportation?

As people move through their senior years, they may face health issues such as declines in vision, hearing, mobility, dexterity, strength, or reaction time. They also may be managing cognitive impairment, side effects from medications, or recovery from recent strokes or heart attacks. Any one of these challenges can make it less safe to drive. Numerous statistics show that seniors are much more likely than the average driver to make driving errors and get involved in car accidents.

Meanwhile, seniors must maintain their freedom and mobility for quality of life. This enables them to shop for food and supplies, attend doctor’s appointments, and spend time with their family, friends, and community, which are key Instrumental Activities of Daily Living (IADLs). While family caregivers and friends can help provide some transportation, they may not be available at all times.

Transportation services for seniors can help them get around and live both independently and safely. Read on to find out what to look for in a transportation service, what are the forms of transportation available, and where you can find local services near you.

What to look for in transportation for older adults

There are many different types of senior transportation services available now – a good challenge to have. Which one is right for you? Here is a comprehensive list of key criteria to consider:

Eligibility: Who qualifies to use this service? Are there restrictions based on home address, age, income, disabilities, medical conditions, veteran status? Is a formal in-person or home evaluation required ahead of time before you can use this service? Are caregivers allowed to accompany you on the trip?

Areas served: What geographic locations does this service cover? Cities? Rural areas?

Availability: What days and times does this service operate?

Destinations: What types of trips are allowed by this service? Medical, grocery, errands, social?

Pickup and dropoff locations: Does the service have predetermined pickup and dropoff locations? How easy is it to get to those stops? How comfortable is it to sit and wait there? Or is the service curb-to-curb?

Assistance: How much will the driver help you? Is the service door-to-door, where the driver walks you from the door of your home to the vehicle and back from the vehicle to the door of your home? Or is the service door-through-door, where the driver helps you get out of your home and into the vehicle? Will the driver stay with you while you are at your destination?

Vehicle accessibility: Does the vehicle have a motorized lift so you don’t need to navigate the steps when getting in and out? Will it accommodate your specific types of mobility aids, such as walker, wheelchair, mobility scooter?

Reservations: How far in advance does the trip need to be booked? On-demand, a day in advance, or more? What is the cancellation policy and fee?

Booking method: How easy is it to book the trip? Is it done via phone call, mobile app?

Time: How long will you potentially need to wait to be picked up? How long will the actual trip take (e.g. will there be other stops in between)?

Cost: How is the price calculated? Is there a membership fee? Discounts based on age, income, disabilities? Does the cost qualify to be covered by insurance?

Vehicles: What kind of vehicles do they use? Are they clean, comfortable, maintained, inspected?

Drivers: What kind of training and background checks do they undergo? Are they professional, reliable, courteous?

Company: How long has the transportation service been in business? Do they have sufficient insurance coverage?

Pros and cons of types of transportation services

Once you’ve selected your top criteria for a senior transportation service, you can determine which types of services are a good fit for you. Each one has its own advantages and disadvantages, as shown below.

Public transit (fixed route services)

Public or mass transit systems provide shared transportation along fixed, pre-scheduled routes, typically using public buses, shuttles, subway, light rail, trains, trams, or ferries. They are more commonly available in larger metropolitan areas for very reasonable prices and are operated by the government.

Pros

Low fares, with senior discounts often available

No advance reservations required

Cons

Fixed routes, so you may not be near stations and stops

Preset schedules

Shared with many other passengers

May not be fully accessible, requiring people to navigate stairs and curbs

Often must wait outside for pickup

Trips take longer because of multiple stops

Paratransit (shared transit for people with disabilities)

Paratransit systems complement public transit systems by providing an accessible option for people with disabilities or limited mobility. Riders must qualify under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), so you will need to arrange for a one-time evaluation before you can use the service. With the pandemic, some of these evaluations are no longer conducted in-person, but instead based on reviewing medical records.

Pros

Accessible vehicles and trained drivers who are equipped to handle mobility aids

Curb-to-curb

Low fares

Discounts often available

Cons

Shared with a few other passengers

Schedule trips in advance

Trips may take slightly longer because of extra stops

Demand-responsive transport (public on-demand transit)

Demand-responsive transport (DRT) or on-demand transport (ODT) serves as a supplement to public transit systems by providing flexible, shared transportation when a rider wants it. This service is typically limited to geographic areas where there isn’t quite enough traffic to support a fixed route, schedule-based system. It combines the flexibility and convenience of ride-sharing services with the low prices of public transit.

Pros

Curb-to-curb

Your choice of pickup time

Low fares

Senior discounts often available

Cons

Shared with a few other passengers

Schedule trips in advance

Often limited to a small geographic zone

Trips may take slightly longer because of extra stops

Ride-hailing (private on-demand transport)

Ride-hailing, which includes both traditional taxicabs and app-based services, provide on-demand private transportation from point to point. Unlike demand-responsive public transport, they don’t have strict restrictions on geography and they can serve an individual rider. If you’re new to using these services, check out the recommended ride-hailing safety tips for seniors.

Pros

Curb-to-curb

Book just minutes in advance

Private ride

No geographic restrictions

Cons

High prices

Ride-sharing

Ride-sharing is a variation on carpooling where multiple riders share one vehicle on-demand, but have different pickup and dropoff points along the same overall path. Some services require that you request rides by using a smartphone and mobile app; others let you do so by making a phone call.

Pros

Curb-to-curb

Book just minutes in advance

No geographic restrictions

Less expensive than a private ride

Cons

Shared with a few other passengers

More expensive than demand-responsive transport

Trips may take slightly longer because of extra stops

Non-emergency medical transportation (NEMT) services

Non-emergency medical transport (NEMT) services provide rides to and from medical appointments and services. The costs may be covered by Medicaid or private insurance; be sure to check with your provider.

Pros

Door-through-door

Accessible vehicles and trained drivers who can accommodate mobility devices, stretchers, oxygen concentrators, and other equipment

Private ride

No geographic restrictions

Cons

Schedule trips in advance, sometimes only through another party such as your health insurance

Higher prices

Home care services

Most home care providers include senior transportation as part of their companion caregiving services. The level of their offerings vary notably across various independent providers and agencies.

Pros

Door-through-door

Private ride

Comfort and familiarity if you can be driven by your regular home care caregiver

Cons

Schedule trips in advance

Nonprofit transportation

Nonprofit transportation services may be provided by volunteer drivers, faith-based organizations, senior centers, community centers, or charities. They vary significantly in terms of their offerings and prices.

Pros

Some are door-to-door or door-through-door

Cons

Schedule trips in advance

Availability may be more limited when volunteer-based

Vehicles may or may not be fully accessible, such as when using volunteers’ personal cars

Geographic restrictions

Senior living community transportation

Many assisted living and independent senior living communities have a dedicated van for transporting their residents within a certain radius of the facility.

Pros

Curb-to-curb

Usually free for residents

Cons

Shared with fellow residents

May combine fixed routes and preset schedules for popular destinations like grocery stores, along with on-demand transport for ad hoc locations

Geographic restrictions

Must schedule trips in advance

Trips may take slightly longer because of extra stops

Affordable transportation options

The most economical transportation options are:

Government-sponsored transit: Government-provided transit options such as public transit, paratransit, and demand-responsive transit have low fares to start with. Seniors and people with disabilities further benefit from discounted (or even free) fares. Some communities offer transportation programs where riders are given free vouchers containing a certain monthly allowance that they can spend on transit.

Nonprofit organizations: Some nonprofits provide transportation for free or for a minimal cost.

Senior living: If you reside in a senior living community, you typically will benefit from free transportation to medical appointments and possibly nearby grocery stores.

Medical transportation: Depending on your health insurance, you may have coverage for medical transportation. Medicaid in particular will cover medically necessary transportation.

Where to find your local senior transportation options

Once you’ve determined which types of senior transportation services best meet your needs, find the providers available in your local area by using the resources below.

To make sure you can get a ride to your desired destination when you need it, sign up for all the transportation services you’re eligible for up front so you have options when needed. While some services can be requested on-demand, others need to be reserved a day (or more) in advance. Some also need one-time registration well in advance.

Transportation resources

Rides In Sight: Database of public transit, paratransit, ride-hailing, medical transport, and nonprofit services. Search for your state and county or ZIP code, or call (855) 607-4337 Monday through Friday 8am-8pm Eastern Time.

American Public Transportation Association – State Transit Agencies: List of public transit agencies. Find your state and then use your browser’s Find feature to search for your state, county, city, and local agencies. Be sure to check your local public transit agency’s website to see if it offers demand-responsive or on-demand transport. You also can check Via Transportation to see the cities where it has been building up on-demand transport.

Independent Transportation Network (ITN) of America – Find Your Community: List of nonprofit community organizations that provide door-through-door transportation for seniors and people with visual impairments. Check the map and the list below the map to see if your community participates.

National Volunteer Transportation Center: Map of volunteer transportation providers in the US. Zoom into your local area to find the volunteer providers near you.

National Center for Mobility Management – State/Local Websites: List of about forty regional organizations that help seniors, people with disabilities, and those with low income to find transportation. Scroll through the list to see if your region is included.

Senior service resources that include transportation

Your local 2-1-1: List of local resources and social services, covering not just transportation, but also food, shelter, and health. Find your regional organization by searching for your address or ZIP or calling 211 from your phone.

Eldercare Locator: Database of local agencies for senior services, not limited just to transportation. Search for your ZIP code or city and state to find a list of agencies in your area. Then you’ll need to visit each agency’s site to find the section on transportation services. Alternatively, call (800) 677-1116. Key agencies to look for are your county’s:

Area Agency on Aging

Center for Independent Living (for people with disabilities)

Aging and Disability Resource Center (ADRC)

The Village Movement: Nonprofit organization consisting of membership-based local villages that provide senior services, including transportation. Find out if there is a village near you by checking Helpful Village and the Village to Village Network.

Ride-hailing and ride-sharing services

The most well-known services are Uber and Lyft:

Uber: Request rides on-demand by using a mobile app. Lower your fare by booking an UberX Share, which is a shared ride option available in select regions. Uber Assist, where available, helps riders in and out of the car and can transport assistive devices as well. If you need a wheelchair-accessible vehicle, book an Uber WAV ride.

Lyft: Request rides on-demand by using a mobile app. Lower your fare by booking a shared Lyft ride with only one other passenger. If you want door-to-door assistance, book a Lyft Assisted ride. If you want a wheelchair-accessible vehicle, book a Lyft Access ride, where available.

If you want to book an Uber or Lyft ride, but feel more comfortable making a phone call than using a mobile app, consider these options:

GoGoGrandparent

Lively Rides (partners with Lyft and is available to people who can call from a Jitterbug cell phone; formerly called GreatCall)

Arrive Rides

Medical transportation services

Ask your health plan or insurance provider if they provide a medical transportation benefit. If they do so by partnering with Veyo or Uber Health, they will need to book the trip for you. SilverRide provides medical transport and door-through-door service that riders can book trips themselves, available in a few select cities in the US.

Other transportation services

If you are associated with any of the following groups, check if they offer transportation for seniors:

Assisted living and independent living facilities

Senior community centers and recreation centers

Faith-based organizations

Seniorwing.com provides information to help people live with independence, safety, and security as they navigate their senior years. This article is republished from Senior Wing's Transportation for Seniors guide.