For most aging in place seniors, turning over the car keys for good is a major blow to their freedom and independence. Not being able to drive oftentimes keeps at-home seniors from getting to the store, their exercise classes, doctors’ appointments and other activities. And eventually, that inactivity starts taking a toll on their health and wellbeing. If you’re serving as a caregiver for a senior in Manatee County, FL, who no longer drives, finding them reliable senior transportation starts with these options.
ITN Suncoast
Affiliated with ITN America, this private, not-for-profit service transports passengers around Manatee County, including those 60-and-over with disabilities, by using personal automobiles (no vans or buses) driven by trained volunteers. When scheduling a ride through ITN Suncoast (www.itnsuncoast.org), riders are asked to use PayPal to safely pre-pay into what’s called a “Personal Transportation Account”. Rides can be booked 24/7, in advance, and special discounts are available to seniors.
ITN Suncoast also has a Ride with Us program that accommodates seniors with limited mobility or poor vision by providing them with “arm-through-arm, door-through-door” service with affordable fares, no tipping and cash-free transactions. They also offer these additional programs for older passengers:
CarTrade
For seniors who’ve turned over their car keys for good but still own a vehicle, CarTrade allows them to trade use of their personal car for rides.
HealthyMiles
This feature allows seniors to schedule free rides to and from certain local healthcare providers and businesses.
Ride & Shop
This program makes available to seniors special discounts when they shop at participating local businesses.
ACC Medlink
For seniors in Manatee County with very limited mobility or poor vision, ACC Medlink provides nationwide, non-emergency medical transportation that’s available by appointment only. For example, if your loved one is bedridden and needs to see a doctor in another Florida city or U.S. state, ACC Medlink can comfortably transport them, for a fee, to and from their destination.
According to their website (www.accmedlink.com), ACC Medlink stands alone in the senior transportation sector because they offer patients “extraordinary service” that’s carried out with an utmost focus on “comfort and luxury”. ACC Medlink’s services are available 24/7 in every city and state, and their spacious vehicles essentially serve as mobile intensive care units. You can hire ACC Medlink to transport your loved one to and from:
- Doctor’s appointments
- Airports
- Hospitals and medical centers
- Home
- Acute care and long-term care facilities
Home Care Agencies
Another non-emergency senior transportation option you have is to hire a home care agency. Make sure they are licensed and insured, and that their caregivers can assist seniors with poor vision and/or limited mobility. It’s also a good idea to verify that their drivers, who are usually home care aides, are carefully screened in advance, and that hourly rates are available.
Safe & Reliable Senior Transportation in Manatee County
Finding an elderly loved one safe and reliable senior transportation in Manatee County can be hard when you live far away. When you need a hand, call First In Care. As a fully licensed and insured agency, our family trusted home care services include transportation that’s provided by caregivers who are also carefully screened in advance. While transporting your loved one, our highly trained aides can also provide any other non-emergency caregiving assistance that they need, including if they use a mobility assistance device or have poor vision.
While in their home, our experienced aides can also perform duties like light housework, personal hygiene, medication reminders, meal preparation and companionship. And, all our services can be individually tailored in an affordable package when and where you need us. To learn more about First In Care, or to schedule a FREE in-home care assessment for a senior in Manatee County, FL, please visit: www.firstincare.com now!
