Public transit services can be useful for anyone, but they are especially valuable for older folks. These individuals may no longer be able to drive a car safely, but they still have important responsibilities and obligations, such as doctor appointments and buying groceries.
Public transportation and other forms of senior citizen transportation can help them fulfill these needs without the risks inherent in driving themselves to the places they need to go. However, families should be sure that their loved ones understand how to use public transit safely, accessibly, and whenever necessary.
Here is a guide for using public transit options as a senior so that all family members can continue to thrive outside the home without facing undue risk.
Which Public Transit Options Are Available?
Many public transit options can serve seniors of varying abilities and cognitive faculties. In general, older individuals should use a form of transit that supports their needs; some may be safe using general transport, while others may need more specialized services. The main options are:
- Buses
- Taxis
- Trains, trams, and subways (where applicable)
- Rideshares
- Volunteer services
Safety Tips When Using Public Transit
Regardless of which option your loved one selects, preparing them to be safe throughout the trip is essential. Help them plan their route in advance so they understand where to get on and off, when the vehicle will arrive and depart, and where they should go once they arrive at their destination.
This can help older individuals avoid getting lost, especially if they are suffering from some level of cognitive decline. Be sure to include accessible safety information they can use at any time. Include the family’s phone number, address, and other relevant information, such as the address they are traveling to. This allows strangers to assist them if necessary or for them to call for help if they become lost, injured, or confused.
Encourage them to take full advantage of priority seating and the professionals operating the vehicle. These people can help them get situated and may also be responsible for securing assistive devices, such as wheelchairs, during the journey.
Accessibility Features
Most older folks benefit from accessibility features, and it is smart to select public transit options that provide for these needs. Certain forms of transportation, such as buses, are required under the ADA to offer accessibility options for wheelchairs. However, other vehicles, such as trains, may not be as simple.
It is helpful for families to ride multiple forms of public transportation to determine which ones are most suitable for their family member’s needs. Consider not just whether their assistive devices can fit but also how they will be sitting when the vehicle is moving.
Are there bars, railings, or straps to hold onto? Is the walkable surface made of grippable materials so that they do not slip, even when their shoes are wet? Are walkways too narrow or full of dangerous gaps and hazards?
Increasing Senior Citizen Transportation Independence Through Public Options
As people get older, they often see their independence decrease alongside their movement and reflexes. This should not mean that they must become housebound. Encourage independence by working directly with family members to plan for and use public transportation.
This may require some education on the family’s part. If an older person does not understand how to use a rideshare app, they may need instructions written out in a place that is easy to access. They may benefit from public transit cards that can be preloaded with funds for their trips rather than needing to sort through for change and bills to pay the fare.
Consider how to facilitate a loved one’s independence while still providing the assistance they need. For those who are not able to be fully independent when out of the house for safety reasons, consider local volunteer services to help with transportation.
Many of these options provide someone to not only take your family member where they need to go but also to sit and watch to make sure they make it to their destination and locate their ride home when they are done. For elders who are prone to confusion and wandering, this can be an invaluable resource.
Find Senior Citizen Transportation in Your Area
Public transit is one method of making the world more accessible for older individuals who are no longer capable of driving themselves. However, equipping them to utilize these services safely and confidently can play a significant role in your loved one’s security and willingness to leave the home. Volunteer services can fill some gaps in transportation accessibility in your area.
Contact us to discover how the Shepherd’s Center of Northern Virginia is making a difference in communities like Oakton, Vienna, Dunn Loring-Merrifield, Great Falls, Herndon, and Reston. If you’re outside these areas but have questions, give us a call at (703) 260-9568 , and we’ll guide you to the Shepherd’s Center nearest to you!
December 3, 2024, we ask you to please keep the Shepherd’s Center of Northern Virginia in mind. As a non-profit we rely solely upon the support of community partners, grants and donations. To put your generosity into perspective, remember this, our funds go to enriching the lives of older adults in the communities we serve.