Department of Health
and Human Services
Administration on Aging
Supportive Services
Transportation |
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Transportation is the critical link that assures access to vital services such as health care and going to the grocery store. The availability of adequate transportation allows older Americans to live independently in their communities and helps prevent isolation and premature institutionalization. For many older people who do not drive an automobile, family and friends provide much of the transportation. However for others, community transportation is the only connection to the outside world.
Whether you are looking for yourself, a family member or a friend, this
ElderAction fact sheet should help you find transportation in your community.
Where can I find transportation services in my community?
The Local Area Agency on Aging or Title VI Program
There are 670 Area Agencies on Aging nationwide. Area Agencies on Aging
have an Information and Assistance service providing older persons and
their caregivers with specific information about services in the community,
including transportation services. These local agencies, monitor and support
specialized transportation services for elders in their community. It
is also the role of the Area Agencies on Aging to ensure that services
are delivered to the older person in need.
There are also 221 programs nationwide that administer Title VI of the Older Americans Act. The Title VI program promotes nutrition and supportive services, such as transportation, to American Indian, Alaskan Natives and Native Hawaiians. The Title VI Program also has an Information and Assistance service which provides specific information about services in the community.
To contact your local Area Agency on Aging or Title VI Program, refer
to the telephone directory in the Blue Pages or government listings and/or
in the Yellow Pages under aging, senior citizens, community services or
social services.
If you have difficulty locating your local Area Agency on Aging, call
the Eldercare Locator: toll free at 1-800-677-1116. The Eldercare Locator
is a nationwide service to help families and friends find information
about community services for older people. The Eldercare Locator provides
access to an extensive network of organizations serving older people at
state and local community levels.
The Yellow Pages of the Telephone Book
The Yellow Pages of many telephone books have a special section in the
front of the book with the names and addresses of various service organizations.
Look under transportation or community services for the names of agencies
that provide transportation for special needs.
The National Transit Hotline
The National Transit Hotline can provide the names of local transit providers
who receive federal money to provide transportation to the elderly and
people with disabilities. Call Toll Free 1-800-527-8279.
The State Unit on Aging
The State Unit on Aging is the agency designated by the governor and the
state legislature as the focal point for all matters relating to the needs
of older persons within the state. The State Unit on Aging is responsible
for planning, coordination, funding and evaluating programs for older
persons authorized by both state and federal government. Refer to your
state government listings for your state's office on aging or department
of human resources.
What type of transportation is available in my community?
The type of transportation that is available in your community will vary
depending upon where you live. In addition, transportation for the elderly
can include doortodoor service, the public bus that travels along a fixed
route or ridesharing in a carpool. The following briefly describes these
three general classes of transportation for older Americans.
DoortoDoor/DemandResponse
Demand response, also called Dial-a-Ride, refers to a system requiring
advance reservations and offering point-to-point or door-to-door transportation
from one specific location to another. The door-to-door service provides
flexibility, comfort and potential for adapting to the needs of each rider.
Demand response transportation systems usually provide transportation
on an advance reservation basis, often requiring payment of fare or donations
on a per ride basis.
FixedRoute
Fixedroute and scheduled services transport riders along an established
route with designated stops where riders can board and be dropped off.
Reservations are not required because the vehicles stop at predetermined
times and locations. Fixed route services usually require payment of a
fare on a perride basis. Many communities offer discounts to senior citizens.
Ridesharing
Ridesharing programs coordinate people who need rides with volunteer drivers
who have space in their automobiles. Typically, this service is scheduled
transportation with a specific destination. The destination points can
include places of employment, nutrition sites, senior centers and medical
appointments.
Conclusion
This ElderAction Fact Sheet has provided you with some basic information
about where you can find transportation services in your community. A
good place to start your search for transportation is your local Area
Agency on Aging. Area Agencies on Aging monitor and support specialized
transportation services for elders in the community. Although the agency
may not provide transportation services directly, its Information and
Assistance Service should provide you with information as to where to
find transportation.
This ElderAction was developed by Mark Meridy, National Eldercare Institute on Transportation, Community Transportation Association of America, Washington, D.C. Duplication of this document is encouraged to provide information to older Americans. Source should be noted in all cases.
The toll-free Eldercare Locator service operates Monday through Friday, 9:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m., Eastern time, and can be reached at 1-800-677-1116. For more information on the Eldercare Locator, and to do a Elder Locator Search, see the link below:
- Eldercare Locator (www.eldercare.gov)