The Elderly and Transportation Limitations

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As one becomes older, getting from place to place can be more difficult. Physical abilities often times put limits on an elderly person’s mobility which in turn limits one’s freedom. It is often hard for an older person to give up driving their own car because they don’t want to be limited. But as one gets older, they may not be able to read road signs or anticipate hazards as well. 

While there are many other transportation options available, the access to these often differs across different regions. Public transportation is often more easily accessible in large cities, but in more rural areas the amount of ways a person can get from one place to another is often limited. Isolation can severely impact an older person’s ability to travel. This lack of access can lead to the elderly becoming stuck in their own home, even though they may wish to get outside. 

The scheduling of public transportation is also a factor. Many elderly people may not be comfortable with the idea of getting onto a crowded bus where everyone is crammed like sardines during rush hour. There are often more frequent options for travel during rush hour, but they are less ideal. On the flip side, if one decides to travel during off hours, there are usually less options. Buses may go from running every 10 minutes to every 30 minutes. This makes traveling much more inaccessible during the hours that are less busy. 

It is important to ensure that elderly people are not limited in their access to transportation. When older people are confined to their home too often, they may experience both physical and emotional effects due to lack of mobility. If an older person has limited public transportation resources, it is important to have a strong family support system or other community resources to ensure they are still able to go from place to place more freely. 

Learn more: 
http://www.caregiverslibrary.org/caregivers-resources/grp-transportation/transportation-and-the-elderly-article.aspx
http://t4america.org/docs/SeniorsMobilityCrisis.pdf

https://www.livestrong.com/article/358682-top-ten-problems-the-elderly-face-with-transportation/

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