Transportation: Helping the Older Adult in Your Life Get Where They Need to Go

older man in rain coat on a bus

Whether walking, bicycling, getting a ride, or taking the bus, we all deserve transportation options that suit our lifestyles. While more than 600,000 older adults stop driving each year, many others modify their driving behaviors.1 These life changes lead to finding alternate transportation options for getting to doctor’s appointments, to visit with family and friends, and to the grocery store. Public transit is a great option for many individuals, but may not always be available to or have limited options for older adults who are more likely to live in rural and suburban areas. Older adults may also choose not to use public transportation for many reasons including safety concerns or distance to the nearest bus stops.

Many older or disabled adults may rely on family for rides. However, there may be barriers to family and caregivers providing rides, such as coordinating schedules, work emergencies, distance from family, or the frequency of medical appointments that require the older adult to rely on more formal transportation options.

There is no one size fits all solution for ensuring older adults have access to the resources and services they need to age in place in the community. By learning what options are available in your area and talking with the older adult in your life, you can help find transportation allowing them to stay connected, active, and independent. Find transportation resources in your community!

  • Whether walking, bicycling, getting a ride, or taking the bus, we all deserve transportation options that suit our lifestyles. While more than 600,000 older adults stop driving each year, many others modify their driving behaviors.1 These life changes lead to finding alternate transportation options for getting to doctor’s appointments, to visit with family and friends, and to the grocery store. Public transit is a great option for many individuals, but may not always be available to or have limited options for older adults who are more likely to live in rural and suburban areas. Older adults may also choose not to use public transportation for many reasons including safety concerns or distance to the nearest bus stops.
  • Many older or disabled adults may rely on family for rides. However, there may be barriers to family and caregivers providing rides, such as coordinating schedules, work emergencies, distance from family, or the frequency of medical appointments that require the older adult to rely on more formal transportation options.
  • There is no one size fits all solution for ensuring older adults have access to the resources and services they need to age in place in the community. By learning what options are available in your area and talking with the older adult in your life, you can help find transportation allowing them to stay connected, active, and independent. Find transportation resources in your community!

  1. US Aging. (2023). Transportation. Retrieved from https://www.usaging.org/transportation