Finding Local Transportation Services |
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Introduction 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. 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 door-to-door 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. Door-to-Door/Demand-Response Fixed-Route Ridesharing How do I find transportation services in my community? ElderCare Online's Neighborhood Networks The ElderCare Online website hosts a Neighborhood Network for each of the USA's 50 states and the District of Columbia. These resource pages point you toward government and non-profit resources on the state and community levels. You will find, links to:
The ElderCare Locator 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. Call the Eldercare Locator toll free at 1-800-677-1116. 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. Source: This article was adapted from an ElderAction fact sheet written by Mark Meridy, National Eldercare Institute on Transportation, Community Transportation Association of America. http://www.aoa.dhhs.gov/aoa/eldractn/transp.html |
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Available from ElderCare Online www.ec-online.net ©1999 Prism Innovations, Inc. |