Transportation
Hiring a Driver:
The instinct for many older people is to stay at home as long as possible. Even if a person at home has visitors, he or she may still be alone most of the time, especially if he or she no longer drives.
One option is to hire a companion care company to facilitate your transportation needs.
Some additional options:
- Go-Go Grandparent (855) 464-6872 (An Uber service geared toward the elderly).
- Jewish Family Services (407) 644-7593 offers a ride program for medical appointments.
- The Ability Center (407) 751-4158 when seniors need handicap-accessible vehicles for rent or purchase.
Become a Sponsor
Consider becoming a Patron for the Orlando Senior Help Desk. Your donation will positively impact the lives of all the residents in our community.
Public Transportation Options:
- Send a Ride (800) 731-1885
- LYNX buses and vehicles (407) 254-6025
- Common Courtesy (407) 702-1133
- Annette Kelly with Neighbors Network (407) 620-8556
- Senior Intervention Network (407) 790-1948
- Community Connections (407) 706-9494
Private Transportation Options:
- Comfort Care Transportation (321) 804-5233
- Florida Medical Transport (407) 260-1230
- Trans Medcare (888) 984-3722
Costs of Hiring vs. Living in an Elder-Care Community:
The cost of hiring a driver on top of living expenses may amount to more than the cost of senior living. Reliance on others when you want to go someplace may be quite challenging. When someone makes the move to a senior community, he or she will be offered scheduled bus trips to the supermarket, bank convenience stores etc. and for fun outings like theatre and restaurant trips.
The residents also receive transportation, usually in a car or van to local appointments for beauty appointments and medical visits. Many senior communities offer concierge services to schedule medical appointments so that the resident has seamless transportation.
Driving Cessation- When to Give Up the Car Keys
Certain signals might mean it is time to give up the car keys. Unfortunately, very few seniors pay attention to these signs:
- You are nervous behind the wheel.
- Your reactions are too slow due to your vision.
- You have trouble reading street signs.
- You’ve had a near mishap because you didn’t see a pedestrian, an object or another vehicle.
- You get lost easily.
- Your hearing has decreased.
- Your legs no longer work perfectly.
We suggest you start talking about these issues with your parents as early as possible. You may want to make a deal with them such as this is the last car we will purchase, and when the car dies, we agree that your driving days are over.
In the optimum situation, an adult child can ask the parent’s physician to discuss driving with their loved one. This generation of older adults has tremendous respect for doctors and often listen to doctors more than their own children. The doctor may suggest that a senior retake the driving test. He or she may be better able to explain the risks and provide alternatives.
There are less optimal ways to stop your parents from driving such as having a relative “borrow the car”, hide or “lose” the car keys, take the car for repair, and not bring it back, disable the car or anonymously report your parent to the DMV. While these may work, we cannot ethically recommend them.
Contact Us For More info!
When you need advice on senior services, senior living options, home health services, elder law, hospice, adult day care and more, please call us. Orlando Senior Help Desk is here to help you navigate the senior maze.
407-678-9363 for more information.