Seniors deserve the opportunity to get out of the house and continue to embrace a fulfilling social life, a strong connection to high-quality medical care, and the ability to attend to personal matters such as shopping. However, many face difficulties not just with their own mobility, but also with the accessibility of public transportation services. Senior citizen transportation can be a useful tool, but making sure your loved one stays safe while using it should be a top priority.

Many types of transport geared toward seniors have undergone modifications to make them more user-friendly, but this does not necessarily mean they are safe. Even if your loved one is still able to drive, bike, or walk somewhere on their own, there are plenty of safety considerations to keep in mind.

Here are some tips on how seniors can ensure personal safety when using transportation of any type.

The Risks of Traveling Alone as a Senior

Studies indicate that seniors face particular challenges when traveling, especially alone. From how transportation officials treat them to the way functional limitations interact with vehicle services, elders are at risk of harm or abuse when traveling.

Add to this the increased risk of falling in those above 65 years of age and the statistic that those who fall once have a 75% risk of falling again within one year, as fall risk tends to be additive, and it becomes easy to see why traveling alone as a senior may directly endanger one’s health. Fortunately, there are a few things families can do to mitigate this risk and make the journey safer.

How to Ensure Personal Safety in Senior Citizen Transportation

Keeping your loved one secure does not have to mean limiting their time outside the house. A little preparation in advance can help an older person not only stay safer when traveling but also feel more confident as they go. Be sure to do the following things:

Know Schedules Ahead of Time

One of the greatest sources of difficulty for seniors traveling alone is fatigue. To prevent older folks from needing to wait outdoors for an unnecessary amount of time, be sure they know the transit schedules in advance. Print train, bus, or metro schedules for easy reference at home, and make sure they know how long it will take them to get to the pickup location so they can plan appropriately.

Take the Route with Family

Another way to keep loved ones safe while they travel is to make sure they know where they are going. Make it a family trip the first time, navigating the intended route together as a group. This will familiarize the older family member with nearby landmarks and street names so they can confidently get to their destination on their own later.

Bring Communication Tools

Anyone, not just older individuals, should carry some form of contact information when they travel. Setting your loved one up with a basic mobile phone and teaching them how to use it will allow them to contact the family if they become lost, tired, or injured. This way, they are not trapped somewhere without being able to get home or seek help.

Use Safer Options

Some forms of transportation are, on average, safer than others for older individuals. Volunteer transportation specifically meant for seniors using accessible transport is often more suitable for elders compared to public transit, which may have minimal adjustments strictly for ADA purposes.

Use Safety Features Correctly

When using accessible transportation, older folks should not hesitate to take full advantage of the extra safety features that are there for their benefit. Proper wheelchair stowage, senior-friendly seat belts, and more can all make the journey safer, but only if used properly. If your loved one does not understand how to use an accessibility item, they should be encouraged to ask with confidence.

Take Short Trips

Even the most active seniors need to have an understanding of their own limits. Encourage short trips rather than packing every errand for the week into a single outing. Not only does this keep elders safer by limiting the risk of fatigue and confusion, but it also allows older folks to enjoy the outdoors more by encouraging them to spend a little time outside every day.

Keep Routes Simple

To avoid confusion, try to keep routes simple by using main roads, landmarks for orientation, and as few transitions (e.g., bus switches) as possible. This simplicity reduces the chances that a loved one will get lost or miss an important appointment.

Enjoy Time Out of the Home Safely

Anyone of any age should be able to enjoy the beauty of the outdoors. By thinking about your loved one’s personal safety ahead of time, your family can facilitate a rich and active lifestyle for even the oldest members of the family.

Contact us to discover how the Shepherd’s Center of Northern Virginia is making a difference in senior citizen transportation 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, and we’ll guide you to the Shepherd’s Center nearest to you!