Senior Transportation

1. Senior Transportation Critical Issues for Discussion The Beverly Foundation October 16, 2002

2. Discussion • Who Are We Talking About ? • What Are Their Mobility Needs? • Where Do They Want/Need to Go? • What Is Driving Demand? • What Are the Options for Action?

3. Who Are We Talking About? • Total 65+ 85+ • Population Population Population • Pasadena, CA133,936 16,222 2,561 • (12.1%) (1.9%) • California 33,871,648 3,695,968 425,657 • (10.6%) (1.3%) • United States281,421,906 34,896,316 4,239,687 • (12.4%) (1.5%) Senior Facts

4. What Transportation Do Seniors Need? • ...rides for a variety of purposes • ...rides at a variety of times • ...rides to get to a variety of places • …rides for which they would be able to pay • …rides that are flexible in time and place • ...rides that enhance quality of life • ...rides to remain in the community • ...rides that are “senior friendly” • “To get seniors who should not be driving to stop, it is necessary to have, adapt or develop practical options to get them where they need to go.”

5. What Are Their Options? • Automobile • highway engineering improvements (signage and road markings) • driver assessment and rehabilitation (check up and tune up) • driver improvement programs (AARP & AAA) • Public Transit Programs(buses, community transport, jitneys) • Paratransit Programs(Dial-A-Ride, ADA transit) • Private Transit(taxi and limousine services) • Specialized Transit(social service, health service, and senior center) • Public Information Resources • general information (I&R programs) • 800 toll free number for transportation assistance (e.g., Texas) • mobility managers (transportation case manager)

6. Just How “Senior Friendly” Are They? Existing Options Accessibility Adaptability Affordability Acceptability in Typical Community Availability     Automobile (drive)   Bus / Subway    Paratransit    Taxi

7. What Is Driving Demand? • Public Policy emphasis on enabling people to stay in their homes • Services & Support getting people to services such as ADS • Mental Health limitations that make access difficult • Physical Health limitations that make access difficult • Driving Expectancy difference in life expectancy and driving expectancy • Legislation regulations on licensing of older adults to drive • Population Growth increase of senior population, especially 85+ • Family Support decrease in availability of families (and caregivers) • Income Limitations payment for transportation becomes • Land Use Planning aging in place • “Traditional transportation options often do not work for seniors.”

8. What Can Communities Do? The Senior Transportation Crossroads Understand the Problem & Educate the Public Review Existing Options Identify New Options Adaptation Do Nothing Creation Senior Friendly Transportation

9. #1 Understand The General Problem Limiting Driving (limit life to daytime, neighborhood) Giving Up the Keys (worse than Alzheimer's) Automobile (most user friendly transport) Mobility Impairments (vision, ADLs, mental health) Family Dislocation/Dispersion (reality of mobile society) Reluctance in Asking for Help (dependence) Needs for Assistance (transportation escorts) Pedestrian Safety (defensive walkers)

10. #1 Understand the Problems with Options • Availability (rural areas are especially in rural areas) • Accessibility (physical limitations e.g. inability to walk) • (walking to curb, climbing stairs, sitting on seats) • Acceptability (insensitive treatment from drivers e.g. seniors are nobody) • (rider safety e.g. location of stops, night travel) • (inconvenience e.g. long waits, advance reservations) • (time consuming e.g. 4 hours for 30 minute trip) • Adaptability (options don’t cross city boundaries) • Affordability (older women with limited income)

11. #2 Educate (Raise Awareness) Behavior Change (through social marketing) Improved Terminology (driver assessment, occupational therapy) Publicity Campaign (the 5 A’s) Travel Training (experimental training at an early age) Discounts (bus coupons, taxi vouchers) Information & Referral Programs (800 # as part of service information) Geriatric Mobility Management (coordination with transportation)

12. #3 Adapt Existing Options Changes in road signs and road markings Adaptive devices for the automobile Driver Training (rehabilitation) Building covered bus stops Training for bus and taxi drivers Broadening taxi voucher programs Accommodating the needs for door-through-door transit Developing volunteer transportation escort program

13. #4 Create New Options Community-Based Volunteer Transit Programs Non-Emergency Health Care Transport Programs Adult Day Service Transportation Programs Friends-Helping-Friends programs Senior Friendly Transport

14. #5 Do Nothing Increase in Road Deaths Isolation of Seniors Undermine Public Policy Decline in Quality of Life Impact on the Well Being of the Community Impact on Business

15. STPs: An Option For Action? • STPs are… • They provide transportation to seniors (and caregivers) who can no longer drive (or want to stop driving) especially to those who cannot use other transportation services. They complement existing transportation services, are located throughout the country, and are organized by a variety of sponsors. • Unique Characteristics • provide transportation for the “old old” (age 85+) • provide escorts for physical and social support • provide quantity and quality of life rides • focus on being “senior friendly”