Securing rides for seniors in Melbourne, FL doesn’t have to be tricky but it should be a priority. After all, seniors who lose their license are at a far greater risk for isolation and depression. Seniors who no longer drive require rides to activities; the store, church, doctor appointments and so forth. No senior should be stuck for weeks on end alone in their home, unable to go anywhere farther than the mailbox.
Regular rides to the store or to a group fitness class can make all the difference to a senior’s happiness and wellbeing, and can even improve their health. On the topic of health and wellbeing, it’s equally important for seniors to make it to their doctor appointments. That’s where a reliable non-emergency medical transportation service comes in handy.
Securing rides for seniors in Melbourne, FL is as easy as calling Stellar Transportation. Sure, it’s not the most “innovative” idea on this list, but it’s the safest and most reliable way to secure rides for seniors.
We specialize in senior transportation, including wheelchair and stretcher patients. All drivers undergo senior sensitivity training and we offer door-through-door services. Aside from giving us a call, here are some other ways to secure rides for seniors throughout the week…
1. Join a Senior Center
Isolation is a big issue for seniors, that’s why seniors who still live at home are encouraged to join a local senior center or senior group that gets them outside of the home and socializing on a weekly or daily basis. If transportation is a concern, seek out one of Melbourne’s local senior centers that offers transportation to and from events.
2. Put Your Family on a Rotating Schedule
Set up a semi-flexible and rotating schedule for family members and close friends who live in the area. By splitting up driving responsibilities you can create a plan that fits with everyone’s schedules.
3. Consider Moving to an Assisted Living Community
Many assisted living communities offer transportation to the store, local events, movies, and so forth as part of their resident packages. This is just one of the many reasons moving to an assisted living community can help seniors avoid isolation and loneliness.
4. Public Transportation Might be an Option
In some cases, seniors are perfectly capable of safely utilizing public transportation systems. In accordance with the ADA, public transportation services must offer systems to accommodate elderly or disabled passengers. Known as paratransit, this service offers curb-to-curb pick-up and requires a trip-by-trip reservation. Instead of large public buses, paratransit vehicles or vans are specially outfitted to accommodate wheelchairs and disabled patients.
It costs a little more than regular public transportation, but it is still only a few dollars per ride. ADA paratransit service areas are located within ¾ mile of a Space Coast Area Transit fixed route.
If a senior needs door-through-door assistance, or is bed-ridden, paratransit services are not the right fit.
5. What About Lyft or Uber?
Apps like Lyft and Uber make it as easy as pushing a few buttons to secure a ride to just about anywhere. Some seniors who have lost their license are turning to these on-demand ride services to get where they need to go. Highly mobile and active seniors who are very aware of their surroundings and do not have any form of dementia may benefit from these “hip” apps.
Signs your loved one will benefit from non-emergency transportation:
-They are in a wheelchair
-They are bed-bound or a stretcher patient
-They have limited mobility
-They require door-through-door assistance, as opposed to curbside pick-up
-More than one driver is required to assist patient during the trip