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5 Solutions To Your Elderly Parent's Transportation Needs

10 November 2015

Adrian Cano

As your parents get older, they may no longer be able to drive due to poor vision or for other health-related reasons. You will not always be available to drive them to their doctor appointments, to the grocery store, or on other errands. Luckily, there are alternative transportation options. Here are five solutions to your aging parent's transportation needs:

Hire a Home Health Aide

A home health aide provides a set number of hours of in-home care for your loved one, which includes driving them to appointments and errands when needed. In addition, they will help clean and prepare meals for your aging parent, as well as generally provide them with companionship. Check with your parent's insurance company to see if a home health aide may be partially or fully covered by their policy.

Call Your Local Social Services Department

Many cities and counties offer free or discounted transportation services for the elderly and disabled. This typically includes a shared van that picks up and drops off at pre-scheduled times. It's best to start by calling or visiting the website of your local social services department.

Sign Them Up for a Ridesharing Service

If your parent has a smartphone and is relatively tech-savvy, you can help them get signed up with an app-based ridesharing service. While they will have to pay for their rides, they can be scheduled at any time, even with very little notice, and tend to be more affordable than taxis.

Look for Assisted Transportation Services

In many areas of the country, assisted transportation companies provide rides to the elderly and disabled. Some of these are for-profit companies that charge (usually modest) fees, but many are free and volunteer-based. Assisted transportation services are especially helpful if your aging parent has mobility issues, because they typically provide door-to-door services, helping your parent get safely and comfortably into the vehicle, into their appointment, and then safely home again.  

Don't Forget About Public Transportation

If your parent is mobile enough to get to a bus or other public transportation stop, and mentally able to safely take public transportation on their own, this can be a great option. Most city busses are wheelchair accessible, and in most major urban areas public transportation is wide-spread and very affordable.

By using one or a combination of these transportation solutions, you can rest easy knowing your parent will be safely and conveniently transported whenever they need to be. To find out more, speak with a company like All Stat Home Health.

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