Access to transportation services is vital to helping seniors maintain their independence. Transportation not only helps you meet your basic needs — shopping for healthy food, attending doctor's appointments, and running errands — but allows you to maintain a social life, which is critical to your mental health.
According to the National Alliance for Caregiving, 78% of caregivers either provide or arrange transportation for their loved ones. Safe and reliable transportation for seniors can be the difference between aging in place, and moving to a long-term care facility. As long as you can safely get where you need to go — whether it be your weekly grocery trip or Wednesday morning yoga class — you can continue to live in your own home.
Below, we dive into several options for transportation for seniors. You'll find public and private options, and those covered by Medicare and Medicaid. In addition, we share several reliable resources to make finding transportation for seniors even easier.
Please note: During COVID-19, practice safety precautions when taking shared rides or public transportation. Wear a mask, practice social distancing, and limit unnecessary ride-sharing wherever possible.
Tools To Help You Find Transportation for Seniors
Your transportation options will vary depending on where you live. However, a few resources are offered nation-wide and are a great place to begin your search for a transportation provider.
There are many community, state, and federal government programs explicitly designed to help find transportation for seniors. Use these tools to find transportation resources in your area.
1. 211
The FCC (Federal Communications Commission) reserved the 211 phone number to guide people toward helpful resources in their community. In all 50 states, the District of Columbia, and Puerto Rico, any person can dial 211 on any phone to learn about shelter options, disaster relief, mental health services, and many other programs.
For your purpose, dialing 211 can connect you with various senior care services, including adult daycare, community meals, and transportation options.
2. Eldercare Locator
The Eldercare Locator, part of the Administration for Community Living (ACL), is a public service connecting senior citizens to various community services. Through the Department of Aging, the Eldercare Locator provides numerous options for public and private transportation.
You can search for transportation options on their website or call them directly at 800-677-1116 to speak with a specialist about your transportation needs.
3. Local Area Agencies on Aging
Area Agencies on Aging (AAA) is a nonprofit agency designed to meet the needs of older adults at the local level. A local area agency on aging typically covers a city, county, or several counties, depending on population density.
You can use the National Association of Area Agencies on Aging database to find the local agency in your area. From there, you can speak to a specialist about finding transportation programs in your area.
5 Options for Transportation for Seniors
Transportation services allow you to go to the grocery store, doctor's appointments, or even a group fitness class. If you are an older adult and no longer drive, the following public and private options may be available to you:
1. Ride Sharing Smartphone Apps
Think of ride-sharing as an on-demand taxi service. Through an app on your phone, you can request a driver. The driver will come to your home, pick you up, and deliver you to your destination.
Remember, always practice safe measures (particularly during COVID-19) when asking for a ride-sharing service. Wear a mask (mandatory for most companies), and stay in the back seat.
There are a number of smartphone apps that connect you to various ride-sharing services. Here are a few favorites:
Uber: Uber was one of the first ride services on the market. If you're looking for a more affordable ride, request an Uber Pool* on your phone (note: These rides do take longer, as you will share your ride with other pedestrians traveling along a similar route). In some cities, Uber WAV is available, which specifically requests wheelchair accessible vehicles.
Lyft: Lyft works exactly like Uber. You request door-to-door service from your smartphone. To gain access to a more affordable trip, simply select a Shared Ride* from your phone.
*For your reference, shared rides for Lyft and Uber as suspended during the pandemic.
2. GoGoGrandparent
Prefer to order a car ride through your computer, rather than from your phone? No problem. GoGoGrandparent allows consumers to order a ride through their computer or from their landline.
To use GoGoGrandparent, simply dial 855-464-6872 and press 1 to request an Uber or Lyft. When you're ready to return home, dial GoGoGrandparent again and press 2. This time, a ride-sharing service will pick you up at your previous drop-off point.
3. Public Transit
Public transportation offers fixed routes that connect you to the broader area in which you live. Since public transportation systems can be confusing, we recommend using Google Maps to plan your routes. With Google Maps, type your destination in first. Then, click "directions" and choose your home address as your starting point. Select the train icon to map out an exact public transit route.
Again, we ask you to practice safety measures when riding public transport (hey, we can’t help it — safety is in our DNA). Always wear a mask, and find a seat away from other passengers.
We recommend contacting your local area agency on aging to find out if your city offers transportation for senior citizens at a very low cost. Some cities, like Chicago, offer public senior transportation for free.
3. ADA and Paratransit
If walking to the bus stop or subway station is too much for you, you should learn about the Paratransit options in your area.
The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) offers paratransit, or direct transportation, to public transportation. Most times, complementary paratransit takes place within three-quarters of a mile from a public transit site. (However, sometimes you can request a ride outside of the service area).
To use paratransit service, you will have to be found eligible. The ADA lists three eligibility categories, including the inability to navigate public transit (due to poor vision, lack of mobility, or a cognitive disablement), requiring a wheelchair accessible vehicle, or other disability.
4. Non-Emergency Medical Transportation
Non-emergency medical transportation (NEMT) services (i.e., it's not an emergency, and therefore an ambulance is not required) offer transportation to scheduled doctor's appointments, vaccinations, or other medical appointments.
NEMT services are covered by Medicare and Medicaid programs. Most private insurance companies do not offer NEMT coverage.
5. Volunteer Driver Programs
In many communities, there are local initiatives to help seniors gain accessibility to transportation. The Community Transportation of America (CTAA), supports the practice of volunteer transportation where community residents pick-up and drive older adults to wherever they need to go.
Volunteer driver programs vary widely by city and state. However, the CTAA website offers a map of various programs. These programs do not charge for rides, although some passengers make a contribution to their volunteer driver.
Finding Transportation for Seniors Is Essential To Your Independence
Reliable transportation is a basic need for seniors. Even if you give up your driver’s license, you can continue to live alone in your own home if you have access to transportation for seniors.
Safe transportation options like ride-sharing services, paratransit, public transit systems, and volunteer driver programs can drive you to medical appointments, grocery stores, pharmacies, community centers, and social outings. Sometimes, these services come at free or discounted rates for seniors.
If you live alone, maintaining your independence is a top priority, which is why you should download Snug on your phone. With Snug, you do a daily check-in on your smartphone. If you miss a check-in for whatever reason, we’ll notify your emergency contact. In this way, family caregivers and other loved ones know you're safe and sound — even while living independently.