It’s well-known exercise and nutrition are cornerstones of good health. For older adults, reliable transportation is just as essential.
Without it, older adults are likely to miss medical appointments, experience food insecurity and become isolated, which can lead to worsening mental and physical health and premature placement in a nursing facility.
Lucinda Gardner, a physical therapist by trade, has spent decades helping older adults improve their health and independence. Now as center manager of Care Resources PACE in Grand Rapids, her responsibilities include overseeing transportation for participants. She says nearly 100% of the more than 400 older adults Care Resources serves utilize the service. Every day, she sees first-hand how essential safe, reliable transportation is to overall wellness.
“Many older adults may find it harder to drive safely as they age due to changes with their vision or mobility, not to mention the cost of maintaining a vehicle while living on a very limited income,” Gardner said. “Many are faced with having to find other means of getting around and some options are more reliable than others. That leads to undue stress and anxiety on top of other impacts from missed appointments and social interaction.”
According to AARP and the National Alliance for Caregiving, 80% of family caregivers in the United States provide transportation for an older adult or a person with a disability. While many older adults rely on rides from family, friends and neighbors, Gardner cautions that caregiver burnout can lead to canceled or delayed rides over time.
“Transportation is a demanding and often overlooked aspect of caregiving,” Gardner said. “When you consider all the medical appointments an older adult may have, you can see how quickly it can become overwhelming for a loved one to manage on top of picking up medications, dropping off meals or giving rides for social events.”
Gardner is also well aware of the fact that not everyone has family and friends to rely on. That leaves older adults to weigh alternative options, such as public transit, rideshare services or volunteer driver programs, which vary in cost, availability, mobility accommodations and more.
Utilizing your local helpline to discover local non-emergency transportation options is a good place to start. For residents of Kent County and the surrounding area, Gardner encourages a call to Care Resources at 800.610.6299 to inquire about eligibility for transportation and much more.
As a Program of All Inclusive Care for the Elderly, Care Resources provides comprehensive services for adults 55 years and older, tailored to individual physical, mental, emotional and social needs. Since it is funded by Medicaid and Medicare, qualifying participants pay no or minor deductibles or copays for all services.
That includes everything from health care and medication management to dietary services and help around the house, as well as transportation to and from approved medical appointments, no matter the time or day.
“Our drivers are there doing door-to-door service for participants from their 5 a.m. dialysis to their overnight sleep study,” Gardner said. “Ensuring participants get to appointments is critical because we know even routine things like dental care and nutrition can snowball into bigger issues without proper management.”
Transportation is also provided to and from the nonprofit’s day centers in Grand Rapids and Lowell. Each location has a full health clinic and pharmacy, rehab gym and activity rooms to help participants stay healthy, enjoy meals together and connect socially – while giving caregivers time to recharge. For more information, call 800.610.6299 or email info@careresources.org.
Last updated 2.5.2026 I H5610_WEB
