Just because you’re getting older doesn’t mean you have to slow down. In fact, studies show the percentage of senior travelers is at its highest in years. whether it’s for a nice day out or a quick trip to your local pharmacy, you’re going to need proper transportation for seniors to get you to where you need to go.
However, if you’re a senior, you may find it a bit challenging to access proper senior community transportation services. There are a lot of options available, and each has its pros and cons. How do you find the one that’s best for you?
No need to fret. This article will help you obtain accessible transport for elderly patrons. Read on to find out more about your senior transport options!
Transportation for Seniors: The Specifics
Before going through a list of options, it’s best to figure out what you specifically need from your transportation services. While all transport will get you from Point A to Point B, certain ones can carry out your needs better than others.
Ask yourself some questions about what your main transportation needs are. Do you frequent the pharmacy and need a reliable ride? Are you looking for 24/7 availability in case late-night traveling is needed? Maybe you wish to have services that cater to seniors with disabilities? Or you may live in an elderly community and wish for elderly community shuttles?
Figuring out the specifics can help you weed out the options and find the ones that work for you. With that said, here are a few senior ride services you may be interested in learning about.
Volunteer Driver Programs
Volunteer driver programs are among the most popular and most loved options, and it’s not hard to see why. Having a team of volunteers helping you get around is a sweet gesture often offered by faith-based or nonprofit programs.
Volunteer programs tend to work within a community for very little or (more often) no charge. Although their hours may vary due to a lack of dedicated drivers, they tend to be easy to reach and can be used for a wide range of applications, including shopping, medical appointments, and recreational activities.
Volunteer drivers won’t be your transportation of choice if you need someone who’s always on-call or can offer immediate assistance. But for a free service that can take you anywhere you need to go, they’re certainly a great option.
Door-through-Door Services
If you’re looking for something more exclusive, door-through-door services are another option for you. As the name implies, this service is offered by a private transportation agency. These agencies not only offer transportation services, but they can also provide personal assistance.
The assistance services offered will vary between agencies. However, most will offer disability services such as wheelchair assistance, as well as help with carrying luggage and bags to and from buildings. They’re also very flexible, offering any other needed services as requested.
Door-through-door services will come with a price tag, but they offer stress-free travel coupled with assistance tailored to your needs.
Para-Transit Services
Sometimes, you may need a bit of help getting from one place to another. If you qualify as a disabled individual and have specific mobility requirements, you may want to consider using para-transit services to get around.
Para-transit services offer senior transportation specifically for those with disabilities. Each vehicle used is equipped with specialized features, such as handlebars and wheelchair ramps, that help passengers enter and exit the vehicle.
Most of these vehicles are large vans or minibusses to offer maximum accessibility, giving you room to move around freely and enjoy a comfortable ride. Make sure to look into this form of transportation if you want a ride catered to your disability.
Public Transportation
No list of transportation is complete without mentioning public transportation. While public transportation isn’t designed to cater specifically to seniors like the above options, it’s a great way to get around.
Perhaps the best thing about public transportation is that you know it runs every day and always at the same set schedule. Once you learn the stops and boarding times, getting to where you need to go will be simple.
Public transportation also happens to be low-cost and usually offers discounts for seniors, making it easy on the wallet. This said, keep in mind most public buses and light rails are designed for everyone to use, meaning you’ll want to look elsewhere if you have special needs.
While the other options might be better for you, it pays to consider public transport, especially when you need to do quick things like make a stop at the store.
Non-Emergency Medical Transportation
If you frequent medical centers for your health, you’ll likely want senior ride services that can accommodate you. Non-emergency medical transportation services are designed with these needs in mind.
This medical transportation is available to eligible residents and includes rides to essential destinations. These include medical locations, as well as other locations like grocery stores and other healthcare service providers.
Non-emergency medical transportation is perfect for those who want to maintain a high degree of independence, but who also need to make sure they can make it to their required medical appointments on time or get the medication they need.
As mentioned earlier, you’ll have to meet certain eligibility requirements to be a part of this program. This may include proving your need for heightened medical attention. However, if healthcare needs are your primary reason for needing transportation, applying for non-emergency medical transportation is a smart option.
Get the Senior Community Transportation Services You Need
Not being able to drive yourself can seem like a crutch, but it doesn’t mean you have to stay at home. Thanks to these senior community transportation services, getting around is a breeze. The next step is finding a senior community you can call home.
Sabine Place is the perfect spot for your needs. This established community in Orange, TX, offers premium living quarters, outdoor spaces to relax and connect, and an abundance of features tailored to your needs. Make sure to contact us to schedule a tour today!
