Transportation helps continue independence, socialization
When Inez celebrated her 91st birthday, she made an announcement to her family: “I’ve decided to quit driving,” she said. “My eyes aren’t as good as they used to be and I don’t want to wreck my car, which I’ve giving to my grandson, Brent.”
Jim, a bomber pilot during World War II who became a pilot for an airlines after the war, never really quit driving, but once his car began having a series of expensive mechanical problems, his children — with his permission — sold it and didn’t replace it.
Many Houston-area seniors now live in senior communities that provide group transportation for errands and individually transport seniors to doctors’ appointments, seeing bankers and lawyers or for trips to and from the airport. Some of Houston’s senior communities, aside from group activities, even provide evening transportation for groups who have tickets to downtown Houston’s Theater District concerts, operas and theater.
However, studies have found more than half of all non-drivers 65 and older stay at home in a given day because they don’t have transportation options. Those in rural areas and small towns are particularly affected because the transportation options are limited.
In greater Houston, however, seniors who need transportation have several options.
Harris RIDES (713-368-7433) will send an application on request and offers a great option for people for whom public transportation is either unavailable or inaccessible — helping eligible residents make doctor’s appointments, do grocery shopping or otherwise just get around and remain independent. It is a curb-to-curb, subsidized program allowing eligible customers and participating agencies to purchase transportation services at a significant discount.
There are two levels of service to choose from: Shared Ride is the most economical for trips more than 12 miles. The customer or agency pays 50 percent of the trip cost, based on mileage. Prices range from $6 to $42, with the rider paying only 50 percent of the cost. Trips must be booked a minimum of 24 hours in advance.
Taxi Service: This metered, same-day service is based on the rate of the meter fare box. Customers may take a one-way trip with a maximum up to $48 — the customer pays 50 percent of the trip cost. With this service, rides are dispatched on the same day as the request. Trips can be booked 90 minutes in advance.
Some seniors who have remained in their homes or apartments or who have moved in with family members can take advantage of Metro’s Senior Fare card, providing a 50 percent discount for riders, age 65 and over.
Metro Spokeswoman Monica Russo said 5,651 Senior Fare cards were used during the past 12 months.
“Seniors’ rates, which are 50 percent of normal fare, are available to riders age 65 years or older.
“Senior Fare card holders never pay more than $1.50 a day to ride unlimited local bus an MetroRail service (Park and Rides not included), and Metro offers five free rides for every 50 paid rides,” Russo said. “Free transfers are valid for three hours of travel in any direction.”
Once riders turn 70, they can ride free for life. In both cases, however, seniors will need to apply for a Metro Senior Fare card.
Go to http://www.rideMetro.org/MetroPDFs/ Fares/DiscountedFares/ Sr-Q-Card-app-bro.pdf.
They also may visit the Metro Ride Store at 1900 Main St. to apply.
The store is open Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. - 5 p.m. A government-issued ID is required to determine eligibility, and all information is kept confidential. Seniors also can call 713-739-6968 for additional assistance.
Those requiring wheelchairs or motorized scooters may want to explore using MetroLift, a sharedride, door-to-door pick-up service for seniors and people with disabilities, and, in accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), travel times and the timeliness of service are comparable to Metro’s fixed-route bus service.
For more information, call MetroLift Customer Service and Eligibility Department at 713-225-0119.
Some insurance plans provide for a number of trips (usually about a dozen round trips) for medical appointments. Check your policy or call your plan provider to see if transportation is offered.
Because it’s important for seniors to remain mobile to keep their social independence with friends and family and to reduce feelings of isolation and loneliness, there are personal transportation options through states programs, non-profits and private businesses in Harris County.
According to a spokesperson for Neighborhood Centers, certain centers provide transportation to seniors, living within a 5-mile radius of the center. The senior programming is scheduled from 8 a.m. to noon, five days a week and includes breakfast, activities and exercise, and lunch.
Another source of information about senior transportation options is the Area Agency on Aging (AAA) at 281-788-9415.
Some local churches and synagogues provide transportation for senior members and prospective members, but this varies from congregation to congregation.
The Evelyn Rubenstein Jewish Community Center, for example, offers JRide, a service initiated earlier this year.
The new program provides safe, reliable, non-emergency transportation for Jewish adults age 60 plus and adults with disabilities to medical appointments, the pharmacy to pick up prescriptions, personal care appointments and the grocery store.
JRide serves clients who reside within the following zip codes: 77025, 77035, 77036, 77071, 77096 and 77401, and must be affiliated with a local Jewish organization. The program is available Monday through Friday 7 a.m. – 4 p.m., and there is a fee for this service.
Physical and social isolation for seniors not only threatens longevity, but also takes away from the possibility of a better quality of life.
Researchers and professionals in the care of older patients say greater Houston’s population of senior citizens will continue to outgrow services at a fast rate.