The average senior will stop driving around age 75. While this is an essential safety measure for those with cognitive issues or sensory decline, it poses problems for senior mobility and quality of life.
Transportation services for seniors can enhance older adults’ ability to get around and enjoy their golden years.
Here, we’ll discuss how Seaton Springwood keeps residents of our senior living community mobile and involved in daily life.
Why Are Transportation Services for Seniors Important?
Independence and autonomy are critical for seniors’ mental and physical health. However, older adults face issues that slow down their reaction times and negatively impact their driving skills.
The National Institute on Aging outlines some of these challenges. They discuss how reflexes slow down, making it more challenging for older drivers to move quickly.
Reflexes slow down in part because of natural conditions related to aging. However, seniors also frequently face several risk factors for slow reactivity.
Vision and hearing loss make it more difficult for drivers to see and hear people and other vehicles. The lack of peripheral vision can cause serious problems when drivers don’t witness movement outside.
Common conditions like arthritis and stiff joints make it harder for drivers to react even when they see a hazard. Stiffness:
- Makes hand control on the steering wheel more difficult
- Stops drivers from turning their heads to look backward
- May cause numbness or difficulty moving feet, which makes it impossible to speed up or brake
The National Institute on Health reports that two-thirds of American seniors suffer from cognitive impairment. Those in the early stages of dementia may still feel able to drive, but this is a bad idea.
Dementia, Alzheimer’s, and Parkinson’s:
- Impact decision-making
- Can cause mood swings that lead to road rage and other dangerous actions while driving
- Cause confusion and disorientation
- Make remembering the rules of the road challenging
- Influence senior’s ability to navigate to even familiar locations
All of these risk factors make it essential for older adults to turn in their licenses. Many may be reluctant to do this because of restrictions on their independence, but it’s a safety must.
Why Not Public Transit?
The lack of accessible public transportation is one common reason seniors don’t want to hand their car keys over. There’s almost no senior travel assistance for those who struggle with mobility issues and cognitive challenges.
Public buses and trains require seniors to get to a bus stop or train station. This is difficult because:
- These locations are not always near seniors’ homes
- Mobility challenges may make walking to stops and stations impossible
- Confusion and cognitive decline may lead to dangerous aimless wandering
Public transportation vehicles also are frequently inaccessible. There are many reasons for this, including:
- Unusable wheelchair ramps
- Limited space for wheelchair seating
- Narrow aisles that are difficult to navigate
These factors mean that seniors will require specialized elderly mobility services to get around.
Connections Transportation: A Mobility Must-Have
Luckily, Seaton Springwood’s personal care and memory care community offers senior ride programs to residents. If your loved one is struggling to get around, the best senior community in York, Pennsylvania can help.
Our Connections Transportation program brings transportation services for seniors right to residents’ doorsteps. Door-to-door ride services make it easy to get from Point A to Point B. Seniors won’t need to get to a bus stop despite health problems and wait long times for a vehicle to arrive.
The Connections program’s vehicles are:
- Always on time
- Scheduled and consistent
- Complimentary for residents
- Chauffeured by experienced drivers
This ensures that residents can have fun while worrying less about finding senior transportation options.
Accessibility With Senior Travel Services
Seaton Springwood offers accessible vehicles for Pennsylvania seniors. They don’t just come right to resident’s doorsteps. They also come equipped with:
- Wheelchair ramps
- Ample space for wheelchairs and walkers in the vehicle
- Wide, easy-to-navigate aisles
- Comfortable seating that accommodates those with chronic pain
Non-medical transportation has never been so easy for seniors to navigate.
The Benefits of Getting Around While Aging
Our Connections program takes seniors to many locations across York. Local attractions that residents can enjoy include:
- Fine arts festivals
- The York State Fair
- Nearby farmer’s markets
- York Fresh Food Farms
- The Good Liberations Trail
- The Susquehanna Ale Trail
- Martin’s snack factory tours
This is just the tip of the iceberg, but it’s clear that seniors have a lot to enjoy in the area when living at Seaton Springwood’s personal care community.
Seniors can also enjoy scheduled trips to locations like:
- Grocery stores
- Department stores
- Boutiques
- Restaurants
- Movie theaters
- Local music and theatrical performances
- Museums
This gives residents something to look forward to that gives them a chance to get out of their well-appointed apartments.
Changes of Scenery
The human mind craves change. Sitting inside the same apartment all day gets old and tiring, even if the living space is comfortable and beautiful. Even vibrant community amenities are part of home, and they lose their novelty over time.
They’re great for day-to-day relaxation, but not for adventure. Getting out and about offers a change of scenery that combats cabin fever.
Some studies even suggest that leaving home every day might help seniors live longer!
Accessible transportation makes it easier to enjoy life and leave community grounds.
Social Opportunities
Seniors are at a greater risk of isolation than young people. Isolation and loneliness can lead to:
- Depression
- Anxiety
- Dementia
- Cognitive decline
The CDC also reports that isolation may also contribute to physical health issues like:
- Heart disease
- Stroke
- Diabetes
Connections Transportation services make it easier for community residents to leave their homes with friends. This lets them deepen their connections with those friends to form closer bonds through new experiences.
Unlock a Great Lifestyle With Senior Travel Assistance
Now that you know the ins and outs of transportation services for seniors, it’s time to help your loved one thrive with accessible transit.
Seaton Springwood’s elderly mobility services ensure that our residents can enjoy an elevated lifestyle with outings and interpersonal connections. Our compassionate team is committed to keeping all residents safe and secure so they can enjoy daily life.
We’re excited to talk with new residents and families about their specific needs, so contact us and schedule a tour today!
