Older adults can benefit from free public transit or volunteer transportation services. They may also qualify for transportation based on a disability or through Medicaid or Medicare.
Getting around can become more challenging as people age. Certain states require additional testing to renew a driver’s license after a certain age.
Public transportation is one of the easiest ways for older adults to get around without driving. But health issues that affect mobility can make it harder for some people to navigate public transportation systems.
Not everyone has family or friends nearby to help them get to medical appointments or run necessary errands such as buying groceries.
However, there are options that a person can turn to without incurring a cost. This article discusses available services that older adults can use for transportation.
For those who can use public transportation, some states offer programs that allow older adults or people with disabilities to use it for free.
These programs generally provide an eligible person with an ID card that allows them to board public buses or trains without a fee. Programs of this type are available in states such as Pennsylvania and Illinois. A person can check to see whether their state or city offers a similar program.
However, depending on the geographic area and the type of transportation available, public transit may not always be as reliable as a person might need.
Some regions may have volunteer transportation programs that provide free rides for older adults and people with disabilities. Nonprofit organizations, senior centers, state government agencies, or private institutions may operate these programs.
Volunteers provide thousands of personalized rides each year, usually in personal or agency cars. A volunteer might also help the person get from their home to the car and back again. The volunteer will wait for the person until their errands are complete and make sure they return home safely.
That said, the specifics of how these programs work may vary. A list of some volunteer transportation services is available at USAging.org.
Paratransit services are another type of curb-to-curb public transportation. These programs primarily serve people who have physical, cognitive, or visual disabilities, but some older adults might also be eligible. For example, an older person living with dementia may qualify for transportation via a paratransit service.
Paratransit services must abide by the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 to determine who is eligible for their service. People with disabilities fall into the following eligible categories:
- Category 1: those who cannot independently use bus or rail services, even with training
- Category 2: those who can use or learn to use an accessible public transit system but face barriers because the system is not entirely accessible
- Category 3: those with a specific impairment that prevents them from reaching or departing from a bus stop or rail station
Medicaid generally covers emergency medical transportation, such as an ambulance. However, older adults who qualify for Medicaid may also benefit from the Non-Emergency Medical Transportation program.
This typically applies if a person does not have a vehicle, is unable to drive, or has no access to other forms of transportation for medical care that would not qualify for an ambulance. To qualify, a person must need a ride to get medical care from a Medicaid-approved provider.
When a person enrolls in Medicaid, they should receive instructions on scheduling rides, which generally involves contacting a caseworker or ride service. This caseworker or ride service will confirm the person’s eligibility, verify their appointment with a Medicaid provider, check that no alternative transportation is available, and determine the appropriate ride type.
When possible, a person’s transportation options may include a taxi, car, van, or shared ride. The person must schedule the ride in advance. However, because individual states manage the Medicaid program, how this works and the options a person has will depend on which state they live in.
Original Medicare (Part A and Part B) and Medicare Advantage (Part C) cover emergency medical transportation. In addition, Medicare can cover non-emergency medical transportation if a Medicare-approved doctor writes an order confirming that it is medically necessary.
Someone may be eligible for covered transportation if they need to get to dialysis appointments or if they:
- cannot walk or stand without help
- cannot sit in a wheelchair or chair
- reside in a skilled nursing facility
Medicare might use various transportation services and will sometimes contract with the options mentioned in this article, such as paratransit services, nonprofit organizations, taxis, or organizations like Dial-A-Ride.
As people age, getting around can become harder. Some states require extra tests for license renewal at a certain age. Public transportation offers a way to get around without driving, and older adults may be able to use it for free. However, mobility issues or cognitive conditions can make public transportation challenging for some people to navigate.
A person may be able to use a volunteer transportation service or a paratransit service, or they may qualify for medical transportation assistance through Medicaid or Medicare. A person’s doctor or health insurance company should be able to provide the most recent information on available services.