10 Benefits of Safe Transportation for Seniors | Pacific Angels Home Care (2024)

When thinking of care needs for seniors, transportation can be viewed as merely logistical, but it is an important care need. There are many benefits of safe transportation for seniors, including healthcare access, daily living necessities, independence, social connections, increased physical activity, and peace of mind.

Why can transportation be a problem for seniors?

Seniors can drive less or not at all for a variety of reasons. The conditions people are comfortable driving in can decrease as we age—some people stop driving in bad weather or at night.

There are also several health issues that can make it more difficult to drive or, depending on the severity, not safe to drive at all. These include mobility issues, worsening eyesight, slow reflexes, cognitive decline, or any health issue that can cause loss of consciousness.

Losing their keys can be a fear of people as they age (understandably so), but safety for themselves and others on the road has to be the number one priority.

When seniors can no longer drive themselves, they need to find other forms of safe transportation.

Options for safe transportation for seniors

There are many different safe transportation options available for seniors to use, including:

• Friends and family
• Public transportation, such as buses and subway
• Paratransit—a ride-share service for people who cannot use other public transportation because of disability
• Taxis
• Ride-hailing apps, such as Uber or Lyft
• ITN America—a membership service that offers seniors door-through-door transportation
• Home care services—caregivers that can provide transportation as well as help with the other activities of daily living, such as moving around

Read more about the different transportation options available.

When deciding which form of transportation to use, consider each option’s availability, cost, and accessibility (Do they need a wheelchair lift? Do they need someone to help them or watch out for them?). Research each of the available options in your area and decide what works best for you—the important thing is that you find safe transportation.

10 Benefits of Safe Transportation for Seniors

It is important for seniors to find safe transportation so they can enjoy the many benefits.

1. Accessibility and safety

The biggest benefit of safe transportation is that seniors do not have to drive when dealing with health issues that make the task unsafe or in bad weather. As a passenger, they can rest or socialize.

The form of safe transportation they pick should meet their accessibility needs so they can safely get in and out of the vehicle.

2. Getting to necessary appointments

The biggest danger of not having safe transportation is the lack of healthcare access since people cannot get to all their appointments or the hospital.

Having safe transportation means that people can get to all their necessary appointments, which is vital to managing their medical conditions.

3. Running needed errands

Safe transportation also allows individuals to run necessary errands, such as going to the post office, getting prescriptions, or grocery shopping.

Transportation and shopping are considered instrumental activities of daily living (IADLS), which means they are tasks required to live independently.

Access to transportation also allows for more input and customization on where seniors shop. For example, they can go to cheaper stores or stores that stock the foods they prefer instead of having to go to the nearest store or get food from wherever a caregiver shops.

Learn more about the activities of daily living.

4. Social interaction

Social isolation (or having a lack of social connections) is a serious issue for seniors. According to the CDC, social isolation can increase the risk of dementia, heart disease, stroke, and premature death from all causes.

Having access to transportation helps seniors avoid social isolation by giving them the means to go enjoy their hobbies, visit with their friends and family, and be involved in their community.

Learn more about the impact of social isolation and how seniors can avoid it.

5. Increased activity

Being able to go out and run errands and socialize also means that the person is able to be more active than if they were sitting at home. It also gives people a chance to go to parks, gyms, or other fitness groups/classes.

According to the CDC, being physically active helps prevent the risk of health conditions such as heart disease, stroke, infections, and even cancers. It also helps manage health conditions and prevents falls.

The health benefits of being more active and having social connections are extensive, and safe transportation helps with both.

6. Independence

Not having the ability to drive can cause people to be dependent on others and feel a loss of autonomy.

Having a variety of safe transportation options means that seniors aren’t dependent on one person. It gives them control over when and how they want to get around.

7. Comfort and convenience

Having options also increases convenience since they have the freedom to pick the option that works best for them and can go where they want when they want.

They can ensure they are comfortable.

8. Mental well being

It is stressful to feel reliant on other people. The mental benefits of having more independence, freedom, and convenience should not be overlooked.

Being able to go to necessary appointments or errands and social events also positively impacts seniors’ mental and emotional health.

According to the National Aging and Disability Transportation Center, 40% of seniors have activities or chores they cannot do because of lack of transportation, leading to a large percentage feeling frustrated and trapped.

Having safe transportation can ensure they are able to do the things they need/want to do, lessen the feelings of frustration, and improve their quality of life.

9. Peace of mind

Another benefit is peace of mind for seniors and their loved ones. Everyone can rest easy knowing they have access to safe and dependable transportation.

10. Easy form of respite care

According to the National Aging and Disability Transportation Center, caregivers spend around 5 hours each week either providing or arranging transportation for their loved ones who are seniors or who have a disability.

This is a serious time commitment. Luckily, using another option for transportation provides a simple and convenient form of respite careso that caregivers have one less thing to do. This can help them avoid caregiver burnout.

It also has the added benefit of giving seniors more independence and control so they are not reliant on family or friends and are not restricted to only leaving the house on their caregiver’s available schedule.

Choose Pacific Angels Home Care for Safe Transportation for Seniors

​​Pacific Angels Home Care provides safe transportation for seniors in Monterey, Santa Cruz, Aptos, and the surrounding areas.

Our kind caregivers are available to provide frequent transportation services or respite care.

They can provide accessible transportation to appointments or activities, help with errands, assist with mobility, and look after the health and safety of seniors. They can provide companionship careso seniors have someone to talk to or go places with.

Call us today at (831) 708-2876 or reach us online to learn more about our transportation services.