As a caregiver, one of the most practical and sometimes overlooked ways you can support your aging loved one is by helping them stay mobile. Whether that means getting them to a doctor’s appointment, picking up a prescription, or attending a community event, access to transportation in California is essential to maintaining a high quality of life.
Luckily, for both you and your loved one in California, there are a number of low-cost and free transportation services available to help you both out. Here is a breakdown of the main options and how to get started with them.
Specialized Transportation for Older Adults and Individuals with Disabilities
California participates in a federal program designed to improve mobility for older adults and people with disabilities. This initiative helps to fund services like wheelchair accessible vans, ride programs, and volunteer driver services.
Many of these programs are run by local nonprofits or city or county transit departments. To find out what’s available near you, contact your local Area Agencies on Aging.
Medi-Cal Transportation Services
If your loved one is enrolled in Medi-Cal, they might be eligible for free rides to medical appointments and pharmacies, no matter how routine the visit. There are two main types of rides available:
- Non-emergency medical transportation (NEMT): for those who need assistance getting to appointments, whether that’s because they need gurney transport, are in a wheelchair, or need an ambulance outside of an emergency service, this is a great option.
- Non-medical transportation (NMT): for those who can ride in a car, bus, or another standard vehicle, but don’t have access to transportation and/or can’t drive themselves, this is a great option.
To use these services, rides must be arranged in advance. You can email the Department of Healthcare Services at DHCSNMT@dhcs.ca.gov. Best practice is to contact them as soon as you know you have an appointment. If there are recurring appointments, you can request transport for multiple dates at once.
Local Senior Transit Programs
Many counties in the state of California offer reduced fares for door-to-door transportation options for seniors. The options vary, but might include shuttle services, paratransit vans, or vouchers for ride-hailing services.
The best way to find out what’s available to you or in your area is by contacting the Eldercare Locator service. This agency helps to coordinate all kinds of services for older adults and their caregivers, and that includes transportation.
Call 1-800-677-1116 or visit their website: https://eldercare.acl.gov
Veyo (Through Certain Insurance Providers)
Veyo is a healthcare transportation company that partners with some insurance plans to offer free rides for non-emergency medical appointments. Their drivers received special training in HIPAA compliance, CPR, ADA accessibility, and medical sensitivity, making them a great choice for loved ones with health conditions.
To find out if this is available through your loved one’s insurance, contact the insurance company through their member services line and ask about their non-emergency medical transportation benefits.
ITN America: Door-Through-Door Support
If your loved one needs more than just a ride, like someone to help them walk into a building or carry items, ITN America may be a good fit. They have what’s coined as “arm through arm” service, meaning that ITN drivers assist passengers from the front door to the vehicle and all the way to their destination.
ITN doesn’t serve all California regions, but it’s worth checking availability in your area: https://www.itnamerica.org
Faith-Based and Community Volunteers
In many parts of California, local churches and nonprofit organizations offer volunteer driver programs for seniors. These rides may be limited to specific hours or destinations, but they can be a lifeline, especially in more rural or remote areas. To find these services:
- Ask your loved one’s care team for referrals
- Check with local senior centers
- Join caregiver support groups, whether online or in person
- Browse local Facebook groups
- Check neighborhood apps like Nextdoor
- Or contact local nonprofits for recommendations
Use 211 or Rides in Sight
For a quick way to find local options, dial 211 from any phone. This is a statewide service that connects Californians to health and social services in their area, including transportation.
You can also search the Rides in Sight directory, which is a national database of senior transportation providers.
Closing Thoughts: Free Transportation for Seniors
California is a big state with relatively poor public transportation options, especially in more remote or rural areas. It’s easy to feel stuck if you or a loved one don’t have a car or the ability to drive. However, the state of California offers a lot of services to help you find free transportation for seniors, so no one ever feels stranded.
The California Caregiver Resource Centers are here to support you. We are a non-profit network of 11 Centers that support caregivers across the state of California. Every county in the state is covered.
Further Reading: What are the Benefits of Attending Support Groups for Family Caregivers?
As a caregiver, it’s easy to feel alone. But no matter how it feels, you’re not – you may just need to branch outside of your current circle.
This article is dedicated to helping you see the benefits of attending a support group and offers resources to help you find one yourself. Click here to read all about it.
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