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Older adults may reach a point in their lives when they cannot drive. While the inability to drive often results from medication side effects, it could also be due to severe vision, hearing, or cognitive challenges. Either way, your aging loved one needs to be able to get where he or she needs to go. Talk to your parent about the following alternate transportation options.
Public Bus & Train Systems
Aging adults who live in major urban areas may have the choice of taking a public bus or train. Teach your loved one how to follow the public transportation maps and schedules. You should also encourage your parent to have a backup plan in mind for inclement weather when walking to or from a bus or train stop could place his or her health in jeopardy.
Older adults with serious health issues should consider handing over their car keys. Living with serious health conditions can make it challenging for seniors to age in place. However, they can maintain a higher quality of life with the help of professional live-in care. Annapolis seniors can benefit from assistance with meal prep, bathing, transportation to the doctor’s office, medication reminders, and much more.
Carpooling with Family Members & Friends
Many of the places your loved one needs to go may be the same as the destinations for his or her friends and family members. You might want to carpool as a family to church, or your parent can ride along with a neighbor to the grocery store. While carpooling is great for short or irregular trips, it could become stressful for family members and friends who have other responsibilities to manage.
If your parent needs help attending doctor’s appointments or social events, consider hiring a professional caregiver. In-home care professionals can be a wonderful boon to seniors. Whether they require around-the-clock supervision or just need assistance with exercise and household tasks a few days a week, seniors can enjoy a higher quality of life with the help of trusted in-home caregivers.
Volunteer Drivers
In many communities, volunteers serve at organizations that provide transportation specifically for seniors and people with disabilities. Your loved one may need to prove his or her inability to drive, be of a certain age, or have a medically documented disability to be eligible for these programs. Once your parent is signed up for the program, he or she may need to schedule rides in advance, and services may only be available during certain hours of the day.
Transporting Networking Companies
There are many ridesharing companies that hire independent contractors to serve as drivers in certain communities. Typically, seniors can access these companies through apps to arrange for rides to specific locations. While ridesharing is effective, it can be expensive if your loved one needs to travel long distances. Since driver experience and skills can vary significantly, your parent may also prefer a different option if he or she has limited mobility or needs to be on time for an appointment.
Professional Home Care Transportation Services
Seniors are sometimes nervous about taking rides from strangers or hopping on a public bus. Fortunately, having a professional caregiver provide transportation services eliminates the majority of issues people encounter with getting from one place to another. A caregiver can provide a ride to any place your parent needs to go, and your parent benefits from getting to know the driver and developing a sense of trust. From driving their cars to managing their medications, older adults may require assistance with a wide variety of tasks.
If your senior loved one has been diagnosed with a serious condition and needs help with tasks like meal prep, transportation, bathing, and grooming, reach out to Assisting Hands Home Care, a leading provider of home care Annapolis families can trust. We also offer comprehensive care for seniors with dementia, Alzheimer’s, and Parkinson’s. Rely on the professionals at Assisting Hands Home Care to provide high-quality compassionate care for your loved one. Give us a call today to learn about our flexible in-home care plans.
