Giving up driving is one of the most significant transitions an aging parent faces. For most adults, driving means freedom, independence, and connection to the world. Without it, seniors risk isolation, missed medical appointments, and declining quality of life.
But losing the ability to drive doesn't have to mean losing mobility. Many transportation options exist, though they require some effort to research and set up. This guide will help you understand all the alternatives and create a transportation plan that keeps your parent engaged with life.
Rideshare Services
Rideshare services like Uber and Lyft have become valuable transportation options for seniors, though they require some setup and may not work for everyone.
Standard Rideshare (Uber, Lyft)
Pros:
- Available in most urban and suburban areas
- On-demand, no scheduling needed
- Door-to-door service
- Cashless payment (charged to app)
- GPS tracking for safety
- Often cheaper than taxis
Cons:
- Requires smartphone and app familiarity
- Drivers aren't trained to assist passengers
- No guaranteed wait assistance
- May be difficult for those with mobility devices
- Limited availability in rural areas
Setting Up Rideshare for Your Parent
- Option 1: Install app on parent's phone and teach them to use it
- Option 2: Use your phone to request rides for them
- Option 3: Add them to Uber Family account (you pay, they ride)
- Option 4: Use a phone-based service like GoGoGrandparent
Senior-Focused Rideshare Services
GoGoGrandparent
- Call a phone number to request Uber/Lyft rides (no smartphone needed)
- Operator assistance with booking
- Family notifications when rides start/end
- Monthly subscription plus per-ride fee
SilverRide
- Drivers trained to work with seniors
- Door-through-door service (assistance into appointments)
- Companions can accompany
- Available in select markets
Papa
- Combines transportation with companionship
- "Pals" provide rides and can stay for appointments
- Some health plans cover Papa services
Help Them Practice
Before your parent needs to use rideshare independently, do several practice rides together. Show them how the app works, what to expect from drivers, and where to find their ride. Familiarity reduces anxiety.
Public Transit and Paratransit
Public transportation remains an option for many seniors, and ADA-mandated paratransit serves those who can't use standard transit.
Standard Public Transit
Many seniors successfully use buses and trains with some accommodations:
- Senior discounts: Most systems offer reduced fares for 65+
- Accessibility features: Low-floor buses, elevators, priority seating
- Travel training: Some transit agencies offer classes for seniors
- Off-peak travel: Avoiding rush hour makes trips easier
Paratransit Services
Under the ADA, public transit agencies must provide paratransit for people who cannot use fixed-route service due to disability.
Key features:
- Door-to-door service
- Accessible vehicles
- Assistance boarding and alighting
- Available within 3/4 mile of regular transit routes
- Fares capped at twice the regular fare
Eligibility:
- Disability that prevents using regular transit
- Not based on age alone
- Requires application and sometimes assessment
- Can be conditional (only for certain trips or conditions)
Limitations:
- Must schedule 1-2 days in advance
- Pickup windows can be long (30+ minutes)
- Shared rides mean longer travel times
- Limited service area
Medical Transportation
Getting to medical appointments is often the highest priority for non-driving seniors.
Non-Emergency Medical Transportation (NEMT)
Specialized services for medical appointments:
- Medicaid NEMT: Covered benefit for Medicaid recipients
- Medicare Advantage: Many plans include transportation to medical appointments
- Private NEMT companies: ModivCare, MTM, LogistiCare
Hospital and Clinic Transportation
- Many hospitals offer shuttle services
- Dialysis centers typically arrange transportation
- Some cancer centers provide rides to treatment
- VA healthcare includes travel benefits for eligible veterans
How to Access NEMT
- Check if your parent has Medicaid (NEMT is a required benefit)
- Review Medicare Advantage plan benefits
- Ask the doctor's office about transportation assistance
- Contact your local Area Agency on Aging
Volunteer Driver Programs
Many communities have volunteer programs that provide free or low-cost rides to seniors.
Common Programs
- ITN America: Volunteer-based transportation network in select communities
- AARP Driver Safety volunteers: Some chapters coordinate rides
- Faith-based programs: Many churches and religious organizations offer transportation
- Senior center volunteers: Local senior centers often coordinate rides
- Community volunteer programs: Rotary, Lions Club, other civic organizations
How to Find Volunteer Programs
- Contact your local Area Agency on Aging
- Call 211 (community resource hotline)
- Ask at senior centers
- Check with local houses of worship
- Search Eldercare Locator (eldercare.acl.gov)
Family, Friends, and Neighbors
Personal networks often provide significant transportation support, but it requires organization.
Creating a Ride Network
- Make a list: Who could potentially provide rides?
- Be specific: Ask for particular commitments (Tuesdays, grocery runs)
- Share the load: No one person should bear it all
- Use scheduling tools: Apps like Lotsa Helping Hands coordinate volunteers
Compensating Informal Drivers
- Offer gas money (IRS mileage rate is a guide)
- Pay for their coffee or meal during outings
- Some families pay siblings or neighbors a set rate
- Acknowledge the help genuinely and frequently
Ride Sharing with Neighbors
- Coordinate grocery runs with neighbors going to same store
- Join together for religious services
- Share rides to community events
Other Transportation Options
Taxi Services
- Traditional option, no app required
- Many areas have senior taxi discount programs or vouchers
- Can be scheduled in advance
- Some taxi companies have accessible vehicles
Senior Center Transportation
- Many senior centers offer transportation to their programs
- Some provide grocery shopping trips
- Usually low-cost or free for members
Delivery and Virtual Options
Reducing transportation needs is also a strategy:
- Grocery delivery: Instacart, Amazon Fresh, store delivery
- Pharmacy delivery: Most pharmacies offer free delivery
- Meal delivery: Meals on Wheels, restaurant delivery
- Telehealth: Virtual doctor visits for appropriate appointments
- Mobile services: Some providers come to the home (lab work, haircuts)
Creating a Transportation Plan
The best approach combines multiple options based on your parent's needs.
Step 1: Assess Transportation Needs
- Medical appointments (frequency, locations)
- Grocery and pharmacy
- Social activities and religious services
- Hair appointments, banking, other errands
- Emergency or unexpected needs
Step 2: Inventory Available Options
- What public transit is available and accessible?
- Does your parent qualify for paratransit?
- What volunteer programs exist locally?
- Can rideshare work with their technology comfort?
- What can family and friends commit to?
Step 3: Match Needs to Options
- Routine medical: Paratransit or volunteer program
- Grocery: Family member weekly + delivery backup
- Church: Neighbor carpool
- Unexpected: Rideshare account set up and ready
Step 4: Build Backup Plans
Every option fails sometimes. Have alternatives for critical trips like dialysis or cancer treatment.
Helping Your Parent Accept Help
Many seniors resist transportation assistance, viewing it as a loss of independence. Here's how to make the transition easier:
Frame It Positively
Instead of focusing on what they can't do, emphasize what these services enable. "Now you can go to lunch with friends without worrying about parking" is more appealing than "You can't drive anymore."
Start Small
Introduce alternatives gradually. Start with occasional use for specific situations—a ride to a doctor's appointment during bad weather, or transportation to a social event where parking is difficult. As they become comfortable, expand usage.
Respect Their Preferences
Some seniors prefer professional services over relying on family or friends. Others value the personal connection of neighbor help. Understanding what matters to your parent helps you recommend options they'll actually use.
Address Underlying Fears
Fear of the unknown often drives resistance. Ride along on the first few trips with a new service. Show them how to use the app or make a reservation. Introduce them to drivers if possible. Familiarity reduces anxiety.
Acknowledge the Loss
Giving up driving is a significant milestone that represents lost independence. Don't minimize these feelings. Acknowledge the difficulty while helping your parent see that good alternatives exist. Sometimes they just need time to grieve before they can move forward.
Frequently Asked Questions
Options include: rideshare services (Uber, Lyft), senior-focused rideshare (GoGoGrandparent), public transit with paratransit services, volunteer driver programs, senior center transportation, medical transportation services, taxi voucher programs, and family/friend networks. Availability varies by location.
Original Medicare doesn't cover routine transportation, but some Medicare Advantage plans include transportation benefits for medical appointments. Medicaid often covers non-emergency medical transportation for eligible beneficiaries. Check your parent's specific plan benefits.
You can set up a rideshare account on your parent's phone or yours and request rides for them. Services like GoGoGrandparent allow seniors to request rides by phone call without a smartphone. You can also add your parent to your Uber Family account to manage and pay for their rides.
Paratransit is door-to-door transportation for people with disabilities who cannot use fixed-route public transit. Under the ADA, public transit agencies must provide paratransit. Qualification requires a disability that prevents using regular buses/trains. Application involves documentation and sometimes an in-person assessment.
Final Thoughts
Losing the ability to drive is difficult, but it doesn't have to mean losing independence or becoming homebound. With planning and creativity, most seniors can maintain their mobility and connection to the community.
The key is starting the transportation planning conversation before the car keys are handed over. Research options in your parent's area, set up accounts and relationships with services, and create a plan that covers routine and unexpected needs.
Your parent may grieve the loss of driving, and that's understandable. But with reliable alternatives in place, they can continue living a full and engaged life.