Resources
The Role of Transportation in Addressing Social Isolation in Older Adults (National Center for Mobility Management 2020). NCMM investigated the hypothesis that a lack of transportation can be shown to be associated with incidences of social isolation among older adults; specifically, that a lack of mobility directly affects patterns of social engagement by dictating people's access to resources, amenities, and socializing opportunities. A second part of that premise is that an improvement in older adults’ access to transportation services that fit their needs—with regard to affordability, convenience, and safety—will meaningfully increase their access to life-sustaining activities. The research focused on this question: How can public transportation be used as a preventive intervention tool to address the potentially harmful effects of social isolation among older adults?
Mobility Management: Introduction, Implementation, Community Service and Seniors (National Center for Mobility Management, 2017). Developed by NCMM and the Corporation for National and Community Service, serves as a guide to building successful mobility services for older adults.
Creating Transportation Options by Linking Volunteer Service to Mobility Management (webinar) (NCMM and Corporation for National and Community Service 2016). Discusses how to build the capacity of your community volunteers around mobility management to create reliable and safe transportation solutions for older adults and people with disabilities.
Expanding Specialized Transportation: New Opportunities Under the Affordable Care Act (AARP Public Policy Institute, 2015). Explains how states can use untapped funding options under the Affordable Care Act to expand services for targeted low-income populations with mobility needs. Also presents two case studies illustrating how the Atlanta region and the state of Connecticut are making this work.
Section 5310 Circular. Enhanced Mobility of Seniors and Individuals with Disabilities: Program Guidance and Application Instructions (Federal Transit Administration, 2014). Also view the Section 5310 Fact Sheet with FAST Act changes (2016).
Transportation for Older Adults: Measuring Results Could Help Determine If Coordination Efforts Improve Mobility (Government Accountability Office, Dec. 2014). Reviews access to transportation services for older adults, including federally funded, state and local programs.
How the Travel Patterns of Older Adults Are Changing: Highlights from the 2009 National Household Travel Survey (AARP Public Policy Institute, 2011). This summary explores changing transportation-related behaviors among older adults related to transit use and driving.
Transportation for Older Adults: Measuring Results Could Help Determine If Coordination Efforts Improve Mobility (Government Accountability Office, 2014).
Weaving It Together: A Tapestry of Transportation Funding for Older Adults (AARP Public Policy Institute, 2013). Highlights the major sources of federal funding for older adult transportation and presents seven case studies of local providers from around the country to illustrate how they combine federal, state, and local funding to put quality service on the street.
Livable Communities. Chapter 9 of the 2011-2012 AARP Policy Book explores policies that promote successful aging within communities, looking at housing, land use, and transportation policies from an older adult perspective.
Related Websites
AARP Public Policy Institute. Researches and reports on issues facing older adults. The institute promotes the development of sound, creative policies to address our common need for economic security, health care, and quality of life.
Senior Transportation. These webpages available via the Community Transportation Association of America address issues and provide resources related to transportation to health care, employment, and other destinations for older adults.
ElderCare Locator. A national database, searchable by zip code, to help older adults and their families locate providers of needed services, including transportation. A public service of the U.S. Administration on Aging.
National Aging and Disability Transportation Center. Promotes the availability and accessibility of transportation options for older adults, people with disabilities, caregivers,and communities.
Strengthening Inclusive Transportation Partnerships to Promote Community Living. This project is sponsored by the Department of Health and Human Services' Administration for Community Living and support communities nationwide in adopting sustainable, scalable, and replicable models that include the participation of people with disabilities and older adults in the design and implementation of responsive, coordinated transportation systems.