Moving & Relocation
Transportation Planning After Driving Becomes Difficult
A practical transportation plan for appointments, groceries, social visits, emergencies, and daily independence after driving changes.
Transportation is not a side issue. Without reliable rides, older adults may miss medical appointments, stop buying groceries, become isolated, or delay care until an emergency. Build the ride plan before taking away the keys.
List recurring trips
- Primary care, specialists, therapy, labs, and pharmacy.
- Groceries, banking, religious services, social visits, haircuts, and errands.
- Adult day programs, senior centers, volunteer work, or classes.
- Urgent care and emergency backup.
Build a transportation menu
Use several options instead of one fragile plan: family rides, friends, senior transportation, paratransit, public transit, taxis, rideshare, medical transportation, pharmacy delivery, grocery delivery, and community shuttles. ACL's Find Services page points families toward transportation resources including the Eldercare Locator.
Make rides easy to schedule
Create a shared calendar with appointment times, pickup address, destination, mobility needs, escort needs, payment method, and emergency contact. If the older adult has memory changes, confirm the ride the day before and the morning of the trip.
Budget for transportation
Paid rides may be cheaper than maintaining a car, but they still need a budget. Include rides in the monthly retirement plan, especially if the person needs frequent medical appointments.
Use YouRetire tools
If transportation loss makes the current home impractical, use the Retirement Move Checklist and compare communities by location, transportation, and access to care.