If you or a loved one wants to transition out of driving, there are a lot of great alternatives that can be safer, more convenient, and more enjoyable! Here are the 5 most popular alternatives to driving services for seniors, so you can see which might fit into your new lifestyle.
GoGoGrandparent
GoGoGrandparent offers an array of services, like rides, grocery pickup, meals, prescription drop-off, and home services. Ridesharing is one of our most popular offerings because it offers freedom of movement for older adults and those with disabilities. We provide safe, affordable elderly transportation services wherever you want to go. Whether you’re going to a doctor’s appointment, a friend’s house, or just want a ride to your local park to take a walk, GoGoGrandparent’s ride services give you the freedom to go wherever you like, whenever you like. You simply call +1 (855) 464-6872, and our automated system will schedule a safe and reliable ride for you.
But GoGo Rides are different than a rideshare app. You can feel confident that GoGoGrandparent has your back. We thoroughly vet thousands of drivers to ensure you will match with a driver that meets your unique needs. We also screen cars to ensure safety and accessibility for all senior rides, and we can even proactively re-request vehicles and drivers that you prefer.
Moreover, our caring team brokers communication between you and your driver from beginning to end, so you know you have a top-notch ride experience every time. Click here to learn more about what makes GoGoGrandparent different than other elderly transportation services.
Family members
A lot of family members or friends will step in to help drive their loved ones to doctor’s appointments or local events. This can be a wonderful opportunity for seniors to connect with a child, grandchild, cousin, or friend. There’s nothing that brings a smile like sharing a drive with a loved one.
While this is a safe, fun, and reliable option, it’s not usually feasible for every appointment you may have.
While some doctor appointments may require a family member to drive, older adults also may want the freedom and flexibility to visit a friend’s house, go to the YMCA, or hit their local religious organization whenever they like. If a family member isn’t available, this could limit one’s social calendar, mobility, and independence. That’s why having GoGoGrandparent driving services for seniors on-demand (with just a phone call) is a great idea when you might not have a family member available to take you where you want to go.
Taxis and rideshare
Taxis and rideshare apps can offer more freedom. These allow seniors to go where they want, when they want. This kind of autonomy with senior rides is important to maintaining physical and mental health.
However, there are some downsides to taxis and rideshare apps. Your driver may not be professionally vetted, and they may not be able to handle certain accessibility concerns. There may be faults in the GPS system, and they may not be entirely reliable. These kinds of safety and practicality concerns are one of the main reasons only 29% of adults over 50 have used rideshare apps.
Moreover, many seniors prefer to use a telephone rather than a phone app. Rideshare apps don’t have a call-in function, which makes them less accessible for those who prefer to use the phone or speak to an operator for their elderly transportation services. GoGoGrandparent offers a dial-in option, so you can have on-demand senior rides with just a telephone call! Plus, depending on where you live, taxis and rideshares can also quickly be too expensive, which is why so many people are turning to GoGoGrandparent solution for affordable daily elderly transportation needs.
Public transit
Some seniors prefer public transportation, either because they are accustomed to it or because they like being around new and familiar faces on their ride. If you prefer the bus, subway, or light rail, public transit is a cost-effective option that can be a great way to socialize and get around town. A lot of public transit companies also offer senior discounts that can make it even more affordable.
However, public transit can be unreliable, time-consuming, unsafe, and often inaccessible. (There’s nothing worse than trying to cram into an overstuffed subway car.) Unless you feel entirely more comfortable on public transit than elsewhere, it’s typically recommended to use other driving services for seniors that are safer and more flexible.
For those with disabilities, paratransit elderly transportation services may be an option. The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) mandates that all public transit must accommodate individuals with disabilities, including wheelchair accessibility, van pickups, and braille for the visually impaired. In some cities, these features may be built into the public transit system, and in other towns, these senior rides might be a separate system with certain eligibility criteria.
Local transportation routes
Most cities and suburbs offer local elderly transportation services, whether through a volunteer program, a non-profit, an assisted living facility, or the government. These may be pre-set routes, similar to a bus system, or they may function like a taxi service that can hold many riders at once. These sorts of elderly transportation options are great for senior rides because they are accessible and safe, and they can go to a variety of places around town. These often offer door-to-door service, and the drivers are particularly trained to assist seniors with certain requirements. A lot of adults also like these elderly transportation routes because they offer an opportunity to meet new friends.
However, these routes generally provide less independence and flexibility than other elderly transportation like ridesharing apps. Seniors can often only go to certain locations, and they are locked into the schedule of the transportation route. You can’t just call up a friend and say you’ll be over in fifteen minutes when you’re relying on a local elderly transportation route.
Why GoGoGrandparent ?
That’s why so many people prefer GoGoGrandparent for driving services for seniors. Our elderly transportation services offer the best of all of the other alternatives. GoGoGrandparent rides are as friendly and comforting as being driven by a loved one, they’re as flexible and independent as ridesharing, they’re economical like public transit, and they offer the safety, accessibility, and professionalism of a local transportation route.
Register for GoGoGrandparent right now to see for yourself why thousands have chosen GoGo as their preferred driving services for seniors.