Being able to drive is contingent upon physical and cognitive ability, and for some seniors, driving becomes more of a hazard than a help. When this time comes, most older adults do not want to give up their car keys because, with it, they lose their independence and ability to leave the house on their own time. Many are not aware that senior citizen transportation services can fill the gap as long as they understand how to use these services.
In the past, senior citizen transport has been a downgrade from driving one’s own car; a lack of accessibility features, difficulty scheduling, and low-quality customer service with minimal representation for elders created a cumbersome and uncomfortable process. Now, however, efforts to modernize senior citizen transportation for convenience and comfort have begun to take root.
Here are some ways these services now cater to older folks, increasing convenience, safety, and comfort.
App-Based Scheduling
In the past, if an older individual wanted to take advantage of a transportation service, they often needed to schedule multiple days or even a week in advance. This posed issues for immediate needs, such as urgent care visits, and because the pickup appointment was so far away, it became easier to forget.
At the same time, even scheduling could be a challenge. Services may only have accepted reservations over the phone — a non-starter for hard-of-hearing folks or those with other challenges, such as arthritis, that prevented them from dialing the number.
Thankfully, modern senior citizen transport has moved beyond these practices to adopt app-based scheduling. Whether for local services or nationwide options such as Uber, apps are now a common method of arranging transport quickly and effectively.
Because phone screens can be adjusted to increase the font size, brightness, and more, seniors find them much easier to use to schedule their rides.
Accessible Vehicle Designs
Another element that made transportation services less appealing in the past is how uncomfortable they were. A transport van might arrive with nothing more than standard bucket seats — no handrails, cushioning, or ramps to get into the van. For seniors who could make it inside, the journey was often tiring and less than comfortable.
Nowadays, transportation services have greater access to mobility aids that can be installed directly into their vehicles. From wheelchair lifts to movable seats that can stow to make room for a wheelchair, older participants now have options that cater to their unique needs. Other accessible elements include:
Exit/entry straps- Seat belt modifications
- Ramps
- Seat modifications
- Lifts
- Rails and braces
Better Customer Service
In the past, many senior citizens did not even know that transportation services were available unless they knew a friend who was already using one. However, thanks to the advent of the internet and the subsequent accessibility of online services, older adults can now find options online.
Paired with an effort by many cities or non-profit organizations to create digital repositories of resources to educate seniors on their options, aging adults now enjoy the breadth of choice that comes with heightened attention to customer service.
Streamlined Programs for Volunteer Support
One of the most common ways that older folks get around is by relying on volunteer organizations that offer their own transportation services. Many of these suffered from the same issues as municipal services — lack of flexibility in scheduling, decreased awareness, and long wait times.
Now, thanks to technology, many volunteer programs are also creating their own apps, websites, and contact forms to increase the speed and reliability of their services. By streamlining their programs, they can offer senior transportation services on a quicker timetable — sometimes even the same day — and allow for more information at intake.
Seniors can specify, for instance, whether they need assistance getting into and out of the vehicle, whether they are in a wheelchair and require a van with a lift, or whether they have undergone an amputation and would benefit from additional padding during the trip.
The modernization of volunteer programs also helps seniors connect with individual volunteers to create more personal relationships. This boosts their safety and helps to make sure they are watched over for the entire duration of their excursion.
Uncover Senior Citizen Transportation Services in Your Area
Age does not have to be a limiting factor for getting out of the house to embrace everything life has to offer. From doctor’s appointments to a weekly book club, seniors deserve to continue living a flourishing life even after they can no longer drive.
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, call us, 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.