Elder Transportation Services Near Me: Utah Options

Elder transportation services in Utah include public paratransit, rides through senior centers and Area Agencies on Aging, volunteer driver programs, Medicaid rides to medical appointments for people who qualify, VA ride programs for veterans, taxis and rideshare, wheelchair-accessible vans, and home care agencies that drive and go along. The biggest difference between them is how much help your parent gets: some stop at the curb, and some walk your parent inside, stay through the appointment, and bring them home. For a parent who's unsteady or forgetful, that difference matters most.

Dad stopped driving in the spring. Since then you've taken off work for his cardiologist, his eye doctor, and two physical therapy sessions, and his dentist appointment is next Tuesday. You need a ride for him that doesn't require you.

Your options, side by side

Curb-to-curb, door-to-door, door-through-door

• Curb-to-curb: the driver picks up and drops off at the curb. Your parent handles everything else.
• Door-to-door: the driver helps your parent from the front door to the vehicle, and to the building door at the other end.
• Door-through-door: someone goes inside with your parent, helps them check in, stays through the appointment, listens to the doctor, and helps them home and settled.

For a parent with memory loss, unsteady balance, or a lot going on medically, door-through-door is often the only option that really works.

Questions to ask any transportation provider

• How far ahead do I need to book? Can you handle same-day or last-minute trips?
• Is it curb-to-curb, door-to-door, or door-through-door?
• Will the driver wait during the appointment, or come back? What if it runs long?
• Can you help with a walker or wheelchair?
• Do you go anywhere besides medical appointments, like the pharmacy, church, or the store?
• How are drivers screened?
• What does it cost, and how is it billed?

More than medical rides

Rides to the grocery store, church, the senior center, and friends' houses matter just as much for your parent's health and happiness. Many ride programs only cover medical trips. See senior companionship and the signs your parent is lonely.

Where help at home fits

Our Care Professionals take your parent to appointments and errands, so you don't have to take time off work for every one. They help your parent get ready, go inside with them, stay through the appointment, write down what the doctor said, pick up prescriptions on the way home, and let you know how it went. They also drive your parent to church, the store, the senior center, and visits with friends. We have local offices serving families in:

• Salt Lake City: Salt Lake, Tooele, Summit, and Wasatch counties, including Heber.
• Layton: Davis and Weber counties.
• Lehi: Utah County.

Not sure we cover your parent's address? Outside these counties? We may still be able to help. Call or text us and we'll tell you right away. Shifts can be as short as four hours, so one shift can cover an appointment, errands, and lunch. See how everyday help at home works.

What to do next

1. List the trips your parent needs each week, medical and otherwise.
2. Decide how much help your parent needs: curb, door, or through the door.
3. Check paratransit, Medicaid, VA, and senior center options if your parent qualifies.
4. Ask providers the questions above.
5. Look at all our home care services, or see your exact price in 30 seconds.

Need help for someone in your family? See your price in 30 seconds, or call us to talk it through.

This article is general information, not medical, legal, or financial advice. Talk with a qualified professional about your situation.