When a senior adult in your life finds it difficult to travel, the added stress and anxiety can take a toll on everyone in your family. What would you do if there was a sudden medical emergency, and you aren’t there to provide help? If mom or dad suddenly need weekly visits to a doctor or specialist, how will you ensure that they can reach where they need to go with ease and peace of mind?
For many, there is a false belief that your options for senior adult travel are limited to hired home healthcare workers and ambulance services. Fortunately, there are several other methods that will help seniors travel in safety and won’t charge a fortune.
If you are concerned that a senior adult in your life won’t have access to the transportation services they need, knowing the options available can give both you and them the comfort and wisdom to make the right decision.
Read below to learn five options for helping senior adults access medical transportation needs.
Hire A Medical Transport Company
One of the most trusted methods for helping senior adults travel is a medical transport company. This option is ideal for senior adults who are still mobile but need assistance traveling long distances that require a vehicle.
A medical transport company can provide trusted and trained staff who will help senior adults travel from their home to the transport vehicle, and then aid them in getting into the building they are traveling to.
Medical transport vehicles often offer wheelchair access for individuals who need to travel with their wheelchair. With careful and caring help from beginning to end, a friendly medical transport company may be the best method for aiding senior adults in transportation.
Public Transportation
If you live in a city with accessible public transport, senior adults can often utilize these services at a reduced fare. In some areas, short trips are even offered for free.
While public transport is designed to help all individuals access travel, those who are limited in their mobility may find this method difficult to reach and navigate. Contact your local public transportation company to learn about any potential reduced or free rates for senior adults.
Utilize Rideshare Services
One of the fastest-growing private transportation methods is known as Ridesharing. You have likely seen a vehicle traveling around your city with a Lyft, Uber, or other private transportation service.
Rideshares are a fast and affordable way to travel from one place to another, but most require the use of a smartphone and applications to locate, hire, and communicate with drivers. If the individual needing transport is not comfortable with using this technology, you may need to help them learn how to navigate the application.
Contact Religious Organizations & Civic Centers
You may be surprised to learn that many churches, religious centers, and civic centers offer rideshare programs or transportation resources for senior adults in their community. Even if the organization doesn’t advertise these services, a simple phone call may be all it takes to schedule a safe ride with a caring local clergyman or city member!
Research Your Region’s Senior Services or Department of Aging Resources
In nearly every county and community there is a dedicated team of experts who focus on serving seniors. By contacting your local Department of Aging or Senior Services center, you can discover the various resources available to help senior adults travel to and from important appointments, as well as find out more helpful information that will make their daily lives easier to manage.
When it comes to transporting a loved one, you want to know that the service or method you use is trustworthy, safe, and delivers on time. If you want the comfort that comes from a team with experience and proven results, a medical transport service can help you get from A to Z with peace of mind.
At Integrity Medical Transportation, our team is proud to offer high quality ambulatory services for those in need of non-emergency transport. With trained and caring staff as well as the latest in transport technology, you can trust that your loved one is being driven with the utmost care. Contact Integrity Medical Transportation today to learn more about our full suite of medical transportation services.