Transportation is a top barrier for Santa Cruz seniors. Many struggle to reach medical care, run errands, or attend social events.
Fortunately, there are multiple options for senior transportation in Santa Cruz.
Why is transportation an issue for seniors in Santa Cruz?
Many seniors have to limit or stop driving. Some can only drive in good weather and during the day. Others have health issues that make it unsafe for them to drive, such as worsening eyesight, slow reflexes, dizziness, or cognitive decline.
While the safety of themselves and the other drivers has to be the first priority, being unable to drive can result in them missing doctors’ appointments or events. According to the National Aging and Disability Transportation Center (NADTC), 40 percent of seniors who cannot drive report that they cannot do the activities or chores they need or want to do, causing them to feel frustrated or trapped.
To prevent this and help seniors stay active and maintain their independence, it is important to find a new safe transportation option.
Benefits of senior transportation in Santa Cruz
There are many benefits to finding safe options for senior transportation in Santa Cruz.
Going to medical appointments
In Santa Cruz, 25% of seniors report having to leave the county for routine medical care to find doctors who accept Medicare. This means that people need transportation that can take them beyond the county.
Finding safe transportation options to take them to medical care means that seniors won’t miss necessary appointments and can better manage their health.
Running errands
It is also beneficial to have convenient transportation to help seniors run errands, such as getting prescriptions, grocery shopping, or going to the post office.
Maintaining independence
When seniors have options outside of family and friends, they don’t have to feel dependent on their loved ones, and they can maintain a feeling of autonomy and control.
Avoiding social isolation and loneliness
In Santa Cruz, 20% of seniors report feeling isolated or lonely. The National Institute on Aging report social isolation and loneliness are linked to higher risks of high blood pressure, heart disease, anxiety, depression, cognitive decline, Alzheimer’s, and death.
Having access to transportation can help prevent social isolation by allowing seniors to no longer be stuck at home. They can socialize more and be more active.
Seniors with safe transportation can attend activities, participate in groups or clubs, enjoy their hobbies, visit friends and family, and be more involved in their community.
Learn more about social isolation for seniors and activities for seniors in Santa Cruz.
How seniors can get around without a car in Santa Cruz
- Family and Friends
- Taxis or ride-hailing apps: These can be a good option if the senior can schedule it and doesn’t need accessibility. If they can ride by themselves but need help scheduling it, they can use a service like GoGoGrandparent to connect them with ride services like Uber or Lyft through a phone call instead of an app.
- Public Transportation: Santa Cruz Metro Buses or the Santa Cruz Trolley are great public transportation options in Santa Cruz, but seniors should try them with friends or family first to make sure they meet their accessibility needs.
- Paratransit: ParaCruz offers door-to-door shared rides (within 3/4 miles of a bus route) for people who cannot take the bus because of a disability.
- ITN America: ITN offers transportation for seniors who are a part of their membership.
- Home Care Services: Home care provides transportation services whenever needed, and they accompany seniors so they can help them get in and out of the car and safely inside wherever they are going.
Learn more about how to find transportation for seniors.
How home care helps seniors without transportation stay independent
Pacific Angels in-home care in Santa Cruz provides safe and supportive transportation for seniors whenever they need it. There are no specific requirements that seniors must meet or specific routes they must take. Additionally, seniors don’t have to travel by themselves. Their caregiver will accompany them to their appointments or errands.
Seniors with mobility issues may need someone to help them safely get into and out of the car and inside where they are going.
Seniors with dementia, Alzheimer’s, or other forms of cognitive decline can also need someone to go with them to their appointments or outings to help them know where they are going and avoid confusion. Having a professional caregiver provide the transportation is the safest way to travel.
Additional assistance home care provides
Home caregivers can also help seniors get ready to go somewhere, including assisting with bathing, grooming, and dressing. They can pack any snack, drinks, medicines, or other care items the senior may need for the outing.
Home care can also allow seniors to be spontaneous and in control since the caregivers can take them whenever and wherever they want.
These caregivers can be a companion for the seniors, so they have someone to go places with, talk to, and do their hobbies with. They can be a social connection and emotional support.
Home care also helps many seniors’ families by providing respite care (care provided to relieve their primary caregiver of their responsibilities). According to the National Aging and Disability Transportation Center, caregivers spend around 5 hours each week either providing or arranging transportation for their loved ones who are seniors or who have a disability.
This is a lot of time, which makes it a great area to replace with home care, so family caregivers can have more free hours and spend time with their loved ones doing more meaningful things with them instead of taxiing them around. This can help them avoid caregiver burnout.
Choose Pacific Angels Home Care for Senior Transportation in Santa Cruz
Pacific Angels Home Care provides senior transportation in Santa Cruz, Monterey, Aptos, and the surrounding areas. We have been providing excellent care to people in the Santa Cruz community for over 20 years.
Our kind caregivers are available to provide transportation and accompany seniors to run errands, go to appointments, or attend outings. We can also assist with mobility and ensure the safety of the seniors we transport.
Pacific Angels can be used as respite care to give caregivers a break. We also provide companionship care, so seniors have a social connection to talk to or go places with.
Call us today at (831) 708-2876 or reach us online to learn more about our senior transportation service in Santa Cruz.
