The Eldercare Locator, a program established and funded by the Administration for Community Living (ACL) and administered by the National Association of Area Agencies on Aging, has launched a national campaign to help educate the public about the challenges older adults face in accessing transportation and the importance of developing a plan to identify their transportation options before they give up the keys.
According to a recent report published by the Eldercare Locator, the only national information and referral resource to provide support for older adults and caregivers across a broad spectrum of issues, searching for transportation was the top reason people contacted the Locator in 2014.
The Home for the Holidays campaign is conducted annually from Thanksgiving through the New Year, a time when loved ones gather and often assess family needs. The campaign features a brochure entitled “Before You Give Up the Keys: Create a Roadmap for Transportation Independence.”
The publication was developed by n4a in collaboration with ACL, the Federal Transit Administration, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration and the National Aging and Disability Transportation Center.
“This is a major issue for older adults. When they lack transportation, they can’t get to the doctor or the grocery store, or see friends and family as much, which means their overall well-being is likely to suffer,” said Kathy Greenlee, Assistant Secretary for Aging and Administrator of ACL.
According to research cited in the publication, the boom in the 65-plus population has triggered a corresponding spike in the number of non-drivers of more than 1.1 million between 2001 and 2009.
Because most older adults associate the ability to live independently with the ability to drive, the prospect of eventually “giving up the keys” can be a frightening one. This campaign was developed to lessen those fears by empowering older adults to evaluate their mobility needs, identify the transportations options in their community and develop a plan customized to their unique circumstances.
“A too-familiar scenario is that older adults wait until they’re involved in some sort of emergency, like a traffic accident, before they really think about their driving ability and the other transportation options available to them in their community,” said n4a CEO Sandy Markwood. “Our goal is to shed light on a critical issue that will likely affect most families with an older loved one who may need to limit or eliminate their driving, and to provide a catalyst for discussion, and hopefully, action.”
The National Association of Area Agencies on Aging (n4a) is a 501c(3) membership association representing America’s national network of 622 Area Agencies on Aging (AAAs) and providing a voice in the nation’s capital for the 256 Title VI Native American aging programs. The mission of n4a is to build the capacity of its members so they can better help older adults and people with disabilities live with dignity and choices in their homes and communities for as long as possible.
The Eldercare Locator serves as an essential, trusted gateway to help older adults, caregivers and aging/health professionals navigate the maze of aging programs and services, as well as to assist them in identifying and accessing the resources that match their needs best.
Based in Washington, the National Call Center operates five days a week from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. ET and can be reached at 800.677.1116 or www.eldercare.gov.
From Bluegrass Area Development District Communications