OKLAHOMA CITY – When many Americans get older, they give up their driving privileges.
More than 20 percent of American adults who are 65-years-old or older don’t drive.
Having access to some form of transportation helps non-driving seniors get to their doctors’ appointments, stores and social activities.
If you have stopped driving, here are a few possible solutions to your transportation troubles:
- Friends & Family – This is the most often and favorite option among seniors.
- Demand Response Services- It is often referred to as “elderly and disabled transportation services,” which are typically government-funded programs that provide door-to-door services by appointment and usually charge a small fee or donation.
- Local Transportation Programs -The services may charge a fee and often operate with the help of volunteer drivers. Some of the programs that service central Oklahoma include:
- -EMBARK Senior Transportation Service: The service is for seniors 60 and older. It primarily serves Oklahoma County.
- – RSVP Provide-A-Ride: It offers low-income seniors free transportation to medical appointments.
- – SoonerRide: The program helps Medicaid beneficiaries get to their medical appointments.
- Taxi Services: Some services may be willing to set up accounts that allow family members to pay for services, and some may even offer discounts.
- Ride-sharing Services: Uber and Lyft are popular web-based services that connect customers with cars. They are also much cheaper than taxis.
A new senior transportation service that will launch in the spring is called the Independent Transportation Network. It is a door-to-door membership program for seniors and the visually impaired. To learn more about the network, call (405) 602-1558.
To find out what services are available in your community, call MyRide at 844-656-9743.
You can also call Rides in Sight at 855-607-4337 or Area Agency on Aging at 800-211-2116.