Insights from The Orlando Senior Help Desk: Transportation options for the elderly

The instinct for many older people is to stay at home as long as possible. Even if a person at home has visitors, he or she may still be alone most of the time, especially if he or she no longer drives.

One option is to hire a companion care company to facilitate your transportation needs. Another option is to contact Go Go Grandparent, 855-464-6872 (an Uber service geared toward the elderly). Jewish Family Services, 407-644-7593, offers a RIDE program for medical appointments, etc.

There are also public transportation services such as Send a Ride, 800-731-1885; LYNX buses and vehicles, 407-254-6025’ Common Courtesy, 407-702-1133; Annette Kelly with Neighbors Network, 407-620-8556; Senior Intervention Network, 407-790-1948; and Community Connections, 407-706-9494.

Private companies also transport seniors — Comfort Care Transportation, 321-804-5233; Florida Medical Transport, 407-260-1230; Trans Medcare, 888- 984-3722.

When seniors need handicap accessible vehicles for rent or purchase, they can contact the Ability Center, 407-751-4158.

Costs of hiring vs. Living in an Elder-Care

Community

The cost of hiring a driver on top of living expenses may amount to more than the cost of senior living. Reliance on others when you want to go someplace may be quite challenging. When someone makes the move to a senior community, he or she will be offered scheduled bus trips to the supermarket, bank convenience stores etc. and for fun outings like theatre and restaurant trips. The residents also receive transportation, usually in a car or van to local appointments for beauty appointments and medical visits. Many senior communities offer concierge services to schedule medical appointments so that the resident has seamless transportation.

While most seniors face major adjustments when transitioning to an elder-care community, Jewish seniors face additional challenges. Not only do they lose their homes, and many of their friends, but they also lose ties to their cultural heritage. This is where the Jewish Pavilion, a 501c3 non-profit, steps in. The Pavilion serves as a resource that provides room visits, festive holiday celebrations, and more to 450 Jewish residents in fifty facilities for seniors. The Jewish Pavilion promotes inclusion, and thousands of seniors of all faiths are welcomed into our programs. http://www.JewishPavilion.org.

The Orlando Senior Help Desk (407-678-9363) helps thousands of callers navigate their way through the daunting senior maze, alleviating caregiver stress while giving advice on all types of elder issues. http://www.OrlandoSeniorHelpDesk.org.