The St. Therese of Lisieux Health Ministry receives many calls from community members and older parishioners asking for transportation assistance. Although we cannot help with most of these requests, we can give them resources to call.
While investigating transportation options for seniors, I was surprised to read that 90% of older people remain in their homes and community, and 600,000 older adults stop driving each year. When older people stop driving, access to reliable transportation services becomes essential for maintaining their independence. As people age and medical conditions become more prevalent, transportation becomes an even bigger problem.
Unfortunately, a lack of safe, accessible, and reliable senior transportation is a barrier to completing tasks we usually take for granted, such as shopping and attending appointments and social functions, putting seniors at risk for social isolation.
If you or a loved one is looking for safe, reliable senior transportation services, consider these resources:
- Family and friends. When people call about transportation assistance, I always ask them if they have family who can help. The most frequent response is that they don’t want to bother their children, who often work. Although we don’t like asking family or friends for help, talking with them about transportation is a must if you will no longer be driving. Discussing work schedules will make it easier for everyone when making appointments. If you are reading this and your parent cannot drive, please offer to help them with driving arrangements if you do not already do so.
- Public transportation, such as community buses, might be a low-cost option for independent older people who are in good health:
- Smart Buses: 866-962-5515 / smartbus.org
- SMART Fixed Route bus services provide public transportation to destinations in Macomb, Oakland, and Wayne counties. Smart Fixed Route buses pick up and drop off at designated bus stops on the major corridor, community, and crosstown routes.
- SMART Flexible Routes: Groesbeck connects residents to destinations throughout the Groesbeck corridor.
- SMART Connector Service is a reservation, curb-to-curb service operated on weekdays between 6 AM and 6 PM. You can travel anywhere within a 10-mile radius of pick-up. A six-day notice is recommended for medical appointments, and a two-day notice for other destinations.
- Community Transit: Local communities partner with SMART to develop and operate Community Transit services to meet the needs of their residents.
- SMART ADA Paratransit Service is a reservation, curb-to-curb service for people with ADA-certified disabilities who cannot use SMART’s Fixed bus service.
- Smart Buses: 866-962-5515 / smartbus.org
- Taxis and private ride-sharing companies such as Uber and Lyft offer curb-to-curb rides to individuals for a fare, which can be a set rate or a fee per mile/minute. While these services are convenient, they can be expensive.
- Volunteer Transportation Services and Community Volunteer Organizations:
- Shelby Township Senior Citizen Transportation: 586-739 7540. This service operates Monday through Friday from 9 AM to 4:30 PM, serving Shelby Township and Utica residents who are 50+ or permanently disabled. All buses are equipped with wheelchair lifts. Dialysis and therapy appointments may be booked in advance for the entire treatment schedule. One ticket ($.50) is required each way and can be purchased at the Shelby Senior Center.
- MyRide2: 855-697-4332 / myride2.com. This is the Area Agency on Aging (AAA 1-B) program that helps seniors and people with disabilities in Oakland, Macomb, and Wayne find and learn about transportation options. MyRide2 has a partnership with Lyft, which can provide same-day service. MyRide2 will also make the arrangements with Lyft, meaning you do not need to use the smartphone application to schedule the ride.
- Interfaith Volunteer Caregivers: 586-757-5551 / ivcinfo.org: Volunteers provide door-to-door service, with minimal assistance, using their own cars.
- Medical Transportation for Older People:
- Medicaid non-emergency medical transportation MAY be available for some Medicaid recipients. Check with your plan’s customer service line to see if you might be eligible.
- Some Medicare Advantage plans offer transportation services for health care appointments, but this varies by plan. Contact your Medicare Advantage customer service line for details and eligibility.
Although securing transportation for people who do not drive may take time and effort, it is in the best interest of all involved to look into some of these options before the need arises.