Transportation Safety Tips for Seniors

Today's older adults have access to a variety of services and resources that were unavailable just a few decades ago. Transportation and rideshare services, for example, are readily available for seniors living in large cities and in more rural communities through local and federal funding and private pay. While most transportation services are safe if you or your aging loved one uses them regularly, it's always a good idea to brush up on safety tips.

Here are a few safety guidelines to consider and adjust to your situation.

Understand Mobility Challenges

Heading out of the house and to a physician's office, the physical therapy clinic or the bank means leaving the comforts of home. Navigating curbs, longer hallways, and different surfaces can enhance fall risk for any older adult with mobility challenges.

If you struggle with balance, lower body strength, endurance, or walking, you are more likely to fall when transferring in and out of the vehicle. If you use a mobility device, such as a walker, cane, or wheelchair, bring it with you and use it throughout your time out of the home.

When booking a transportation service, make sure they are equipped to handle your mobility needs. Here are a few questions to ask:

• I use a mobility aid. Does the person driving know how to store it safely in the vehicle?
• Is the driver able to help me transfer in and out of the vehicle? Have they been trained to do so?
• What type of support and assistance can your driver give during transfers?
• Will the driver drop me off at the front door, or will they escort me into the building?

Inform a Family Member

With a few quick text messages or phone calls, you and your family can enjoy peace of mind while you are out and about. These check-ins can ensure you are safely in the vehicle, at your destination, and back home.

Text or call a designated loved one when:

• your driver arrives
• you are safely inside the vehicle
• you arrive at your destination
• you arrive back home

If it makes you feel more comfortable, you can also text a description of the vehicle to your loved one.

Some family members choose to use an app that tracks their loved one's locations. Life360, for example, gives real-time updates on where family members are. Consider adding a senior loved one to your family's plan and use this to track their locations when they are using transportation services.

Check Details Before You Get into the Vehicle

Before you transfer into a vehicle, check key details to confirm you're getting into the correct, reputable vehicle:

• ask for the driver's name
• ask the name of the person they are picking up (that's you)
• confirm the destination address
• confirm payment, if applicable

Plan for Extra Time

Some seniors may feel nervous about being late or missing their ride when utilizing transportation services. Rushing can lead to falls. To stay safe, plan extra time into the day's agenda so that you can feel confident you will have plenty of time to make your appointment and ride.

When booking transportation ahead of time, ask for a pick-up time that allows an extra 20 to 30 minutes. This additional time can be spent using the restroom one more time or taking your time when walking to your pick-up destination.

When waiting for your ride, always sit on a bench before you feel tired. If possible, wait inside your home or the building you're leaving. This is safer than waiting outside where others might not be around if you need assistance.

Travel with Minimal Belongings

Grabbing too many belongings for your day out of the house is not always the best idea. Carrying large bags full of supplies and just-in-case items can increase fatigue, negatively affect balance and gait, and even increase the risk of forgetting something in the vehicle or at your appointment. Instead of packing everything but the kitchen sink, consider packing only the essentials:

• easy to carry bag or purse
• wallet
• bottle of water and a small snack
• smartphone

Skip carrying extra cash. If you need to tip a driver or pay some money upon entering the vehicle, keep it in hand so you don't have to reach into your purse or bag to retrieve it.

Brush Up on Emergency Response

Finally, if there is ever an emergency when using transportation services, make sure you know what to do. Call 911 if you feel unsafe or uncomfortable in a vehicle or while waiting for a vehicle. If you cannot dial 911, text a family member that you feel unsafe, along with the driver's information and your location. Have these phone numbers readily available so that you can be confident should you ever need to use them.

Transportation services are generally safe and an excellent resource for older adults. However, it's always a good idea to practice habits and routines that ensure an extra layer of safety.