Senior transportation options: key takeaways
- Health, safety, independence and social interaction are key to seniors
- Transportation options for seniors need to take all of these into consideration
- There are multiple options for senior transportation, some less known than others
- Each has their own benefits and drawbacks
Introduction to Senior Transportation Options
Whether you are running a retirement community or are retired yourself, understanding the options available in terms of senior transportation is critical.
Many folks don’t even know the multiple senior transportation options available, which could mean they’re losing out on independence, a better experience, a safer journey, as well as cost savings.
We’ll outline some of the major senior transportation options out there, including pro’s and cons of each one.
What is Senior Transportation
First, it’s important to define what we mean when we’re talking about senior transportation.
Senior transportation is the moving of an older person from one place to another. This can include between home and medical appointments, or visiting friends and family.
Senior transportation is incredibly important for several reasons, which we’ll now explore.
Why Senior Transportation is Important (+ Stats)
Why is senior transportation important?
1. Safety and health
Safety and health will always come first. From a health perspective, many seniors require transportation to get to and from doctor’s appointments, physiotherapy, and so on.
From a safety perspective, seniors require a transportation option that will not endanger their health in any way.
Seniors are at increased risk in terms of vehicle accidents, both as passengers and as pedestrians.
These sobering statistics prove the point:
- Almost 6,000 people aged 70 and older died in motor vehicle crashes in 2022. This is a 49% increase since 1975.
- 71% of people 70 and older killed in motor vehicle crashes in 2022 were passenger vehicle occupants, and 18% were pedestrians.
- The risk of dying in a pedestrian crash increases with age.
- Elderly pedestrians struck by motor vehicles have the highest mortality rate of all pedestrian injury victims.
2. Independence
A sense of independence is critical for seniors. Having transportation options allows seniors to feel mobile, and in control of their own lives.
3. Social engagement
Isolation and loneliness become increasing challenges as people age. For seniors, transportation enables visiting friends and family, and having an active social life.
Some studies show that up to 20% of the population aged over 70 suffers from depression. There are several causes, but it’s often exacerbated by the fact that people who were once active now spend much of their time alone.
Senior Transportation Options
Here are some of the most popular transportation options for seniors:
- Dedicated senior transportation services: There are several dedicated services for seniors in most cities. These are great in that they’re specifically for transporting seniors and are therefore equipped for such a task – however drawbacks include a higher cost in many cases, and sometimes having to share the ride with other people, or having to pick up several people along the route.
- Private taxis: These are usually quickest: unfortunately they can also be the most expensive, and the quality and comfort of your ride will depend on your driver, over whom you have no control.
- Public transportation: This is usually the most cost-effective solution, as public transportation is usually subsidized and discounted for seniors. On the other hand, there is a loss of comfort, independence, and convenience.
- Shared rides: Shared rides are becoming more popular. The cost is spread over a few passengers, making it more affordable. The downside is a loss of convenience and comfort.
- Self-driving vehicles: Self driving vehicles are the future of senior transportation. They have all the advantages of the other options, with none of the downsides. They’re safe, comfortable, convenient, and they promote independence.
Carteav: The Perfect Senior Transportation Solution
Carteav provides an end-to-end autonomous transportation solution for seniors.
Imagine this:
If you’re retired yourself: You have a doctor’s appointment coming up, and the office is about a mile away. You tap a button on your smartphone screen, and you’re updated that a self-driving cart is on its way, ETA in 5 minutes. You grab your bag and head outside. In exactly 5 minutes from when you ordered it, the cart is waiting for you.
You get in, and only once you’re comfortable and safe, the cart gently glides off. It smoothly and slowly navigates around obstacles, cars, and people, and delivers you to your doctor. It informs you that you’ve arrived, and waits for you to exit safely. Once you’re done, you just summon the cart again through your phone, where the ETA will inform you when to expect it.
It will pull up, and once again take you home safely and comfortably.
Carteav’s autonomous carts in action. The solution is currently deployed at several sites throughout the world
If you’re running a retirement village or senior living facility: You can have a fleet of self-driving carts at your disposal on your campus. Carteav provides a site manager, autonomous charging, a web app, the autonomous carts themselves – everything you need in a turnkey solution. And the best part is that there’s no upfront capital expenditure as pricing is on an affordable monthly model.
Carteav is already being used at several retirement villages and gated communities. Want to see a demo? Get in touch!
Conclusion: There Are More Senior Transportation Options Than You Might Think!
There are several transportation options available for seniors. Choosing the right one for your needs will depend on different factors such as level of mobility, distances, health, and so on.
We hope this has been helpful in understanding your senior transportation options, and wish you safe and comfortable travels!