Feeling Stressed About Transportation as a Senior? Take 3 Minutes and Check out our Handy Breakdown of Options

Will I pay too much for another mode of transportation if I give up my car? 

It depends; if you are looking at different ways to get around and are considering cost alone, there are definitely more economical ways to get where you need to go.  We also have to think about the positives and negatives of each mode of senior transportation—in other words, what is the best way for me to meet my transportation needs?

Below is a quick and convenient chart for helping you to mull over the costs and convenience of owning your own vehicle versus using another mode of transport.   Which might work best for you considering all your needs? 

·       What is your budget?

·       Do you have physical challenges that might affect your decision?

·       Do you have cognitive challenges that might affect driving your own vehicle or using public transportation?

·       Is extra assistance needed from another person?

Let’s take a look at options that we may have available (if living in a rural area, your options might be a bit more limited):

Terms:

·       Door-thru-Door:  Driver is able to assist passenger from inside the home to the vehicle; may stay at destination with passenger

·       Door-to-Door:  Driver meets passenger at the door and helps to vehicle

·       Curb-to-Curb: Driver meets passenger at curbside, no assistance available

·       Self-transfer:  Passenger must be able to transfer from the wheelchair to the vehicle without assistance

·       Para-transit: Automatic wheelchair equipped vehicle

Considering options as well as your unique circumstance (which might include limitations or disabilities) are important when deciding on modes of senior transportation.  Also, it might be a good thing to talk with your loved ones about your preferences.  Do you have friends who may have used some of these services and can give you an honest opinion on the services that are available in your community?  What is working for them (or not working)?  Knowing how others are getting around and talking about it with them can help make transportation changes less scary as we age—let us know what is working in your community!

Need a little extra assistance?  Ensemble of Care offers Senior Transportation in Lake County, call us for more information!  http://ensembleofcare.com/senior-transportation.php