Mobility Options

There are real concerns and fears that the folks may confront when no longer able to drive. "How can they get to the doctors?", "What if there's an emergency?", "How do they get groceries and do a million other chores?" are all legitimate questions.

Irregardless whether the folks planned the retirement from driving, suddenly just stopped for a particular, or no particular, reason or have not been driving for a while it is important to assess the alternate transportation options.

The immediate and obvious transportation for Mom/Dad is usually nearby family and friends. Depending on the dynamics and circumstances of your family this may or may not always practical, feasible and even desirable.

As part of being a caregiver, transportation can become a responsibility, and it can also become burdensome and intrusive in other family member's lives'. It is important then to determine all of the transit options available to you and the family.

Every community is different and the transportation services offered will vary. It is important to identify all of transit modes available. The best place to start is with the local Area Agency on Aging. Refer to the folk's local phone book in either the government listings (blue pages) and/or the yellow pages for community services, social services, senior centers or aging. If you need help call the ELDERCARE LOCATOR at 1 800 677-1116, be sure to have the county an/or zip code your folks live in and explain that your looking for transit assistance in that area.

Another source of transit information is the National Transit Hotline, which provides resource data on local transit agencies providing senior and disabled transit service. Contact at 1 800 527-8279. They have a website at www.ctaa.org. If moving or travel to another area is planned access the database at www.projectaction.org.

Relying on community service transit can be difficult especially if the folks have recently retired from driving. A great deal of independence and convenience is forfeited. It should be pointed out that there are benefits such as the reduced expense of private autos, insurance, upkeep, fuel, etc.

1.Transportation Intro
2.Changes in Modes of Mobility
3.Mobility Options
4.Alternate Transportation