Northern Virginia is an appealing place with beautiful weather and a peaceful atmosphere. Unsurprisingly, many people retire here, adding to an already high number of older folks in the area. To best serve these valuable members of the community, many transit services in Northern Virginia have created specific senior citizen transportation options for those who need additional assistance.
However, not all families are aware of these avenues for helping their loved ones retain independence and safety outside of the home. Understanding the options for safe and accessible travel for seniors promotes socialization, self-reliance, and the health benefits of getting outdoors. Here are the main services families can use.
Public Senior Citizen Transportation Services
While many seniors may not feel safe using the public bus or train, many other options can serve their needs. When selecting a service, it is wise to weigh various considerations, including routes, accessibility features, how simple it is to schedule, and whether it requires waiting outside for the vehicle to arrive.
Metroaccess
If families have tried many transportation options without finding one that meets their loved one’s specific needs, Metroaccess can be a great choice to try next. Those who cannot secure transport through other services or have an ADA-registered diagnosis can utilize this door-to-door service, which must be scheduled in advance.
On the positive side, scheduling a ride means that your loved one will know exactly when the transport arrives instead of needing to wait in a less safe location, such as a bus stop. However, they will to some extent be at the whims of other passengers, as the ride is shared and may need to stop to let others off or on before your family member reaches their destination.
Fastran
For those who primarily need to leave the house for medical appointments and essential life services, Fastran is a worthwhile consideration. From grocery shopping to going to a senior center, older adults can get out of the house safely with Fastran as long as their journey qualifies under Fastran’s eligibility criteria.
Private Services
In some instances, an aging adult may be unable to handle public transit independently. If this is the case, more personalized services with one-on-one attention might be a better fit, and these are usually restricted to the private sector.
Accessible taxis
A city’s taxi service is not actually part of the public transit network; instead, it is operated by individual drivers or groups. Because of this, older folks can enjoy personal attention in an accessible taxi. Just be sure to examine options such as the TOPS program, which can provide subsidized transport and may assist with the cost of such services.
Volunteer transport
One of the primary ways many older individuals get out of the home is via volunteer transportation. Numerous charities and volunteer organizations dedicate resources to providing safe, accessible transportation to elders who need extra assistance.
Shepherd’s Centers offer transit with compassionate individuals who do more than just operate the vehicle. They can also drop your loved one off and wait for them, making sure they enter the building safely and return without getting lost. However, it is important to remember that volunteers are giving their own free time to offer these services; this can mean that sometimes, rides are not immediately available.
Ride shares
Those looking for a customizable experience may do well to consider ride-share programs such as Uber and Lyft. While it is true that each driver may not be held to the same standard of compassionate care as volunteers from senior-focused organizations, ride shares can provide wonderful opportunities if used carefully.
For instance, it is possible to see which drivers have accessible vehicles. From there, it is common for families to build rapport and a relationship with a specific driver who works well with their aging family member. This familiarity helps keep them safe on their journey, provides socialization opportunities, and reduces the constant struggle of finding transportation each time the individual needs to go out.
Travel Safely with Accessible Senior Citizen Transportation
Safe and accessible travel for seniors is possible thanks to Northern Virginia’s elder-friendly services. Contact the Shepherd’s Center of Northern Virginia to discover how we are making a difference in communities such as 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!