For many seniors, the greatest obstacle to healthcare isn’t the appointment itself — it’s getting there. Limited mobility, lack of public transit, and the cost of private transport often make essential care out of reach.
Missed Appointments, Missed Care
When transportation fails, seniors miss check-ups, delay treatments, or skip follow-ups. Over time, this leads to worse health outcomes and higher reliance on emergency services — costs that ripple through families and the healthcare system alike.
Unequal Impact
Rural elders face long distances with few transit options. Urban elders may contend with inaccessible transit systems or unsafe environments. Seniors with disabilities or low incomes are hit hardest, turning transportation into a question of equity as much as logistics.
Building Solutions
Volunteer driver programs, paratransit, subsidized ride services, and partnerships with community organizations can bridge the gap. Coordinating appointments with transportation availability also helps ensure no senior has to choose between care and affordability.
The Question
If healthcare access depends on mobility, then transportation is a health issue too. Which leaves us to ask: how can we design transportation solutions that guarantee seniors can reach the care they need, when they need it?
Transportation Barriers and Solutions
The Hidden Barrier to Care
For many seniors, the greatest obstacle to healthcare isn’t the appointment itself — it’s getting there. Limited mobility, lack of public transit, and the cost of private transport often make essential care out of reach.
Missed Appointments, Missed Care
When transportation fails, seniors miss check-ups, delay treatments, or skip follow-ups. Over time, this leads to worse health outcomes and higher reliance on emergency services — costs that ripple through families and the healthcare system alike.
Unequal Impact
Rural elders face long distances with few transit options. Urban elders may contend with inaccessible transit systems or unsafe environments. Seniors with disabilities or low incomes are hit hardest, turning transportation into a question of equity as much as logistics.
Building Solutions
Volunteer driver programs, paratransit, subsidized ride services, and partnerships with community organizations can bridge the gap. Coordinating appointments with transportation availability also helps ensure no senior has to choose between care and affordability.
The Question
If healthcare access depends on mobility, then transportation is a health issue too. Which leaves us to ask:
how can we design transportation solutions that guarantee seniors can reach the care they need, when they need it?