Transportation Options for Seniors: Local and long distance

Seniors may find it difficult to travel independently, especially if they have medical issues that require special attention. Nevertheless, there are many ways for them to get around -- locally, nationally or internationally -- using various transportation options.

When health, physical limitations, family pressure, or personal fears prevent older individuals from driving, alternative ways of getting around town can include relying on friends and family, public transit programs, para-transit programs (curb-to-curb transit for people with disabilities and/or seniors), volunteer services and senior shuttles. In addition, for local travel a number of communities offer taxi voucher programs for older individuals.

Local transportation options

• Taxi voucher programs

These programs allow individuals to use taxi services at a reduced rate, as long as they meet the eligibility requirements. While taxi voucher programs differ greatly among communities, various eligibility requirements include: age, area of residence, income, reason for the ride (medical or non-medical), destination of the ride (within or outside of city limits), and whether or not the person in need owns a car.

• How to find out if your community has a taxi voucher program
• Your area agency on aging will know if your community has a taxi voucher program.
• Visit the eldercare locator, a free public service of the U.S. Administration on Aging, and administered by the National Association of Area Agencies on Aging.
• Or call the Eldercare Locator at 1-800-677-1116 for help with local information.
• How taxi vouchers work
• In Arlington County, Virginia, the Super Senior Taxi program allows residents age 70 and over to purchase books of taxi vouchers worth $20 for only $10 each.
  • Vouchers can be used with a few specified taxi companies for both the fare and the driver's tip.
  • Travel must either start or end in Arlington County.
• In Laguna Woods, California, three types of travel vouchers are available to residents age 60 and older.
• For general travel, books of $100 in taxi bucks can be purchased for $40. Trips within a specific local area (Laguna Woods and parts of Laguna Hills) cost $10 in taxi bucks. Outside that area, but within Orange County, people pay the usual cost of the ride using the taxi bucks. Costs are per ride; three to four people may share a ride from one originating location paying only one fare.
• Special vouchers are available for travel to specific locations such as the John Wayne Airport or Irvine Transportation Center.
• A non-emergency medical program provides discounted transportation to medical appointments.
• In Woburn, Massachusetts, the Senior Discount Taxi Program services residents age 60 and over. Different vouchers can be purchased, depending on where the person is traveling.
• For rides in the city, one-way vouchers cost $3.00 (two vouchers would be needed for a round trip).
• The program allows for certain destinations outside of Woburn, primarily for medical purposes, with varying costs.

Long-distance air transportation

Special provisions must often be made for travel safety when seniors have major mobility and medical issues. What do you do when your father, who has emphysema and requires oxygen, needs to fly to Paris? Or, what's the best way to move your ailing grandparent, who might be wheelchair-bound, from Florida to a care facility near you -- and you live hundreds of miles away?

Fortunately, options for non-emergency transport of non-ambulatory individuals with chronic medical conditions exist. Most even allow family members to accompany their loved ones on the ride. But as costs can run into the thousands and even tens of thousands of dollars, make sure to check with your insurance company to see if these services are covered. The following tips and resources will help you start your search for the right options for you and your family.

• Oxygen resources for air travel: People who need oxygen during air travel should be sure to have a prescription from their physician for the equipment needed, as well as the batteries needed to support the oxygen device. It's crucial to plan ahead and check with your airline to confirm that the type of oxygen device you require (the portable oxygen concentrator) is allowed by the airline. For more information about air travel with portable oxygen, visit Home Oxygen for air travel.
• Air ambulance: This is a highly specialized service for individuals who need extensive life support in order to be moved from one location to another, and is not for general travel purposes due to extremely high cost. However, if you do need such a service, use these sites to help familiarize yourself with the cost, details, and options. Keep in mind that you will want to speak to your health insurance representative about whether or not any cost coverage is provided.
• For more information, see a report from the Commission on Accreditation of Medical Transport System

Long distance ground transportation

Medical vehicles or coaches range in size; they allow for nonstop travel by offering a bed, kitchen, and bathroom. Medical personnel accompany the individual, but many coaches require that their client be medically stable and not on a ventilator. Check the web for ground transportation options in your city or town.

Medical escorts

Trained personnel can accompany individuals who cannot travel alone due to health reasons. For example, an individual who rides in a wheelchair but is able to stand might be capable of traveling on a commercial airline or train with a medical escort. Companies providing this service will take care of the travel details. This type of service is much less expensive than using an air ambulance or medical coach. Check your local hospitals for medical escort resources.

Traveling with a wheelchair

People riding in wheelchairs with few medical issues may be capable of traveling alone; they can contact the airline, bus or train company, in advance of travel, about their needs and request special assistance.

Helpful links:

• eldercare locator: 1-800-677-1116
• Transportation Options for Older Adults
• airline travel with oxygen
• air ambulance services

Deborah Elbaum received her M.D. from the University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine. She writes about medical issues for Care.com and has written on food allergies and asthma for educational publications. She lives in Massachusetts and has three children.