How to Arrange Transportation for Your Elderly Parent in Charlottesville Virginia

The Decision to Stop Driving

Should you or your elderly loved one stop driving? If so, how will you travel to the doctor and the grocery store and stay connected to the people and activities that you love? Here is a list of articles that will help you determine if it is time to arrange for an alternate mode of transportation for your loved one:

Transportation Options

If your loved one is no longer safe to drive, they will need options to keep them mobile and connected to the life they love. Here are options for you and your loved one to consider:

Public Bus Transportation - Charlottesville Area Transit (CAT)

If your elderly loved one is able to walk to the bus stop, teach them how to use the bus maps and check the schedules. Go with them on their first ride to someplace they visit often, like the library or a coffee shop. Make a day of it, so that they can familiarize themselves with the route and spend time with you in the process.

Reduced fares are available to Charlottesville citizens, 65 and older. Karen Davis of JAUNT explains in the video below how you can retrieve a reduced-fare pass.

http://youtu.be/YNVJfZ4Fd98

Or, you can click here to visit CAT’s Web page.

Door to Door Service – JAUNT

JAUNT is a low-cost, scheduled service that provides “door to door” transportation for their passengers. They will arrive at the scheduled time outside, pick up their passenger – all of the drivers are helpful and considerate of the elderly and nearly all vehicles are wheelchair accessible, drive to anywhere in the city and drop their happy clients off. Many of Care is There’s clients have provided positive feedback about JAUNT, some claiming they would prefer it over accepting rides with friends.

For information about JAUNT, call (434) 296-3184. For an overview of JAUNT services and for an an in-depth explanation on how to ride the Jaunt bus, watch the videos below.

http://youtu.be/a9CNJcLS5pM

http://youtu.be/8rAbz0Xk7Io

Companion Agencies

Even if your loved one isn't at the stage where they need companion care for any length of time, you can still hire a companion agency to provide easy and accessible transportation for them. Many of the agencies on the list above will gladly accompany your loved one on appointments, shopping trips and other day-to-day activities.

Private Providers

As Karen mentions in the first video above, private providers are viable options for senior transportation. These providers may not be trained specifically in transporting and caring for the elderly, so if your loved one has a chronic condition, mobility issues, vision or hearing issues, memory loss or another other illness, consider using a more specialized option.

The list Karen provides in the video is as follows:

Taxis
Accessible Taxis
Church buses
Private Residential Facilities
Nonprofits – like WorkSource Enterprises
UVA Shuttles (Northridge)
Senior Businesses

Taxicab

Seniors can utilize local taxicab service for on-demand transportation to and from desired locations. This option is more convenient but also more expensive than public transportation.

More and more seniors are trying out non-traditional cab services like Uber and Lyft.

Home Care Agencies

Many local home care agencies provide transportation for clients who are enrolled in their services. Such agencies may provide many related services as well: running errands, cooking meals, light housekeeping, bathing and dressing, and in-home medical care. Contact Care is There Geriatric Care Management for advice about the type of agency to hire.

Senior Living Communities

Most senior living communities offer group or individualized transportation to their residents. Older adults often consider moving to a senior living community when their ability to drive deteriorates.

Contact Care is There Geriatric Care Management for advice about the type of community that would best suit your loved one’s needs, and for personal assistance in choosing and transitioning to such a community.

Adult Day Centers

Some adult day centers and PACE programs will pick up your loved one from their home and transport them to the program, or they can arrange transportation on your behalf. Contact Care is There Geriatric Care Management about adult day centers near you.

Friends, Family, and Faith Communities

Helping a friend or loved one with transportation is a great way to stay connected! Plan a weekly errand day together or confer in advance about good days to take a day off from work for doctor’s appointments.

Friends attending the same social activity often appreciate the company and are happy to pick up your loved one on the way.

Faith communities often have programs that help elderly people attend services, or fellow community members need only be asked to provide transportation as an act of kindness.

Geriatric Care Managers - Care is There (540.246.0211)

Our geriatric care managers at Care is There accompany our clients to their appointments and handle logistics on their behalf. This keeps you from having to take time off work, and it keeps us connected and up to date with them! Learn more about our services here.

How Care is There can help:

If your loved one is struggling with transportation issues, we can:

Help you determine if your loved one is safe to drive
Identify and implement alternative transportation options
Accompany your loved one to appointments and run errands on their behalf
Check in with your loved one often to be sure they have what they need and remain actively engaged in their communities
Help your loved one consider moving to a senior living community

Next Steps

Trying to arrange transportation for your elderly loved one in Charlottesville Virginia?

Contact Care is There Geriatric Care Management by calling 800-434-1633 or by emailing us at Info@CareisThere.com. We provide a free telephone consultation and will help in any way we can.

Files

Tip-Sheet-Transportation-Options-For-Older-Adults-in-Charlottesville-Virginia.pdf