2 • SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 17, 2019 • CAREGIVER
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Dear Savvy Senior,
Where can I find out about alternative
transportation services for my 80-yearold
mother? It’s time that she gives up
driving, but before she does, we need to
figure out how she’ll get around.
— Inquiring Son
Dear Inquiring,
Alternative transportation options
for seniors who no longer drive vary
widely by community, so what’s
available to your mom will depend
on where she lives.
While most urban areas offer
seniors a variety of alternative
transportation services, the options
might be few to none for those living in the
suburbs, small towns and rural areas.
Depending on where your mother lives,
here’s a rundown of possible solutions that
can help her get around, along with some
resources to help you locate them.
• Family and friends: This is the most often
used and favorite option among seniors. So,
make a list of all possible candidates your
mom can call on, along with their availability
and contact information.
• Volunteer transportation programs:
These are usually run by local nonprofits or
religious organizations and provide elderly
seniors transportation to doctor’s appointments,
shopping, and more.
These services might charge a
small fee or accept donations and
often operate with a network of
volunteer drivers.
An example of a local transportation
program is Envoy America
(EnvoyAmerica.com) that provides
senior transportation in 78 cities in
Arizona, Texas, Washington, Illinois,
New Mexico, Georgia and Pennsylvania.
To search for such volunteer programs, visit
NationalVolunteerTransportationCenter.org
and click on “Map of Volunteer Driver
Programs.”
• Demand response services: Often referred
to as “dial-a-ride” or “elderly and disabled
transportation service,” these are usually
government-funded programs that provide
door-to-door transportation services by appointment
and usually charge a small fee or
donation on a per-ride basis.
• Taxis and rideshare services: While taxis
are a viable transportation option in many
communities, rideshare services, such as Uber
(Uber.com) and Lyft (Lyft.com), which are
widely available, have become more popular
among seniors who don’t drive.
To get a ride, your mom could simply use
the Uber or Lyft smartphone app, a computer,
or she can call a ride-hailing service, such
as Go Go Grandparent (GoGoGrandparent.
com). Or, you can make arrangements for her
on your smartphone.
Costs will vary depending on your mom’s
location, distance traveled and peak travel
time, but rideshare services are usually cheaper
than taxis.
• Hire someone: Consider hiring someone
to drive your mom. Maybe consider a neighbor,
retiree, high school or college student
that has a flexible schedule and wouldn’t
mind making a few extra bucks.
You can also hire a senior driving companion
through nonmedical home-care agencies,
or you can find someone on your own at
websites, such as Care.com or CareLinx.com.
• Private business transportation services:
Some hospitals, health clinics, senior centers,
adult day centers, malls or other businesses
offer transportation for program participants
or customers.
• Mass transit: Public transportation (buses,
trains, subways, etc.) where available, can be
an affordable option and might offer senior
reduced rates.
Where to look
To find out what transportation services are
available in your mom’s area, contact Rides in
Sight (RidesInSight.org, 855-607-4337), and
the Eldercare Locator (800-677-1116), which
will direct you to her area agency on aging for
assistance. You should also contact local senior
centers, places of worship and retirement
communities for other possible options.
Send your senior questions to: Savvy Senior,
P.O. Box 5443, Norman, OK 73070, or visit
SavvySenior.org. Jim Miller is a contributor to
the NBC Today show and author of “The Savvy
Senior” book.
GETTING AROUND WHEN YOU NO LONGER DRIVE
Jim Miller