Transportation Options for Rural Seniors

Seniors who live in cities or larger towns have access to various support services and resources, including public and senior-centered transportation. But what about the one in five older adults¹ who live in more rural areas? While there are benefits to living in a rural community, access to transportation for seniors can become significantly more challenging, leading to increased isolation in the home.

Negative Health Outcomes Due to Isolation

The risk of isolation increases when a senior no longer drives independently, and isolation has been recently linked with various negative health outcomes. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention report that isolation was associated with a 50% increased risk of dementia, a 29% increased risk of heart disease, and a 32% increased risk of stroke.²

Getting to and from places around town, whether to church for a fellowship dinner or a friend's house for coffee, is difficult without the ability to grab the car keys and slide behind the wheel. However, there are some ways rural seniors who do not drive can get to those social gatherings, in addition to medical appointments, the grocery store, and other businesses for errands.

Each rural community is unique, and you might not find that your area has these services. However, this is an excellent starting point as you search for transportation services for yourself or your aging loved one.

Town Hall

Even if you live in a rural area, you might still be able to utilize the resources available in your small town. Contact your town's mayoral office or town hall to inquire about community transportation for seniors. They might have a volunteer service of licensed and insured volunteers who can drive you to and from appointments as long as you schedule them in advance. Other towns might have a bus that can stop by your home and take you to a desired destination. Just be sure you know the cost of this service (these services are not always free, but often are discounted) and if you need to transfer in and out of a wheelchair to board the bus or get in the car.

County Services

After researching the transportation options available through your town government, take it a step further by inquiring about services available through your county. Counties sometimes have senior service departments, typically staffed with one part-time or full-time person, that provide resources for older adults throughout the county. Depending on the funding available, the county might have transportation services for seniors via a bus service or volunteer car services. Because the county serves more people, the wait time for transportation might be longer. When possible, schedule transportation as soon as you schedule your medical appointments so that you have the best chance of getting the transportation services you need.

Community Service Officers

The police department in your town or county may have a community service officer, which can also be a good resource for finding transportation options near you. Community service officers know about public transportation and private options that are safe and vetted through their department.

Local Places of Worship and Nonprofit Organizations

Rural areas often don't have the funding to support a dedicated transportation service for older adults. Fortunately, churches and other nonprofit organizations can sometimes fill in the gap by offering volunteers who are available to drive seniors to and from medical appointments or into town for errands. Contact churches in your area to see if they have an outreach program for seniors that includes transportation and the cost and requirements for those services. Don't worry; churches that offer community transportation typically do not require the senior riders to be a member of their congregation.

Other nonprofit organizations that might offer transportation services for seniors include community volunteer groups such as the Lions Club or Rotary.

Nonmedical Home Care Agencies

Nonmedical home care agencies serve seniors throughout rural areas and often offer transportation as an available service. While you will have to pay out-of-pocket for a ride, your caregiver will not only pick you up and drop you off at your destination, but they will also escort you throughout your appointment, which can be especially helpful if you need assistance transferring in and out of the car or need extra help.

Veterans Organizations

For Veterans and their spouses who live in rural areas and need transportation, local Veteran organizations could be a good place to inquire. Organizations like the VFW or the American Legion can sometimes offer transportation for seniors in a formal or informal program. A formal program would include licensed and insured volunteers, while an informal program might be a referral to a neighbor who can pick you up on their way into town.

Friends and Neighbors

In a rural community, residents are often more familiar with one another than those in large cities. This can mean that friends and neighbors are more likely to step in and support aging adults in the community. Asking a friend or neighbor for a ride to a medical appointment, the grocery store, or the diner can be a realistic way for you to get the transportation you need.

Staying Safe

If you are considering getting rides from friends, neighbors, or an informal referral you got from an organization, remember to put safety first. Ask yourself:

• Do I know this person well?
• Is this person a legal driver?
• Is this person insured?

You can also ensure your safety by:

• texting a family member when the person picks you up and then again when you arrive at your destination
• keeping your phone with you while you are in the car so that you can send a text if you are feeling uneasy
• talking to others in the community to see if they trust and recommend the driver

Living in a rural area might make finding senior transportation more challenging, but starting your search with these organizations can ensure you're on the road sooner rather than later.