Transportation

Transportation is an issue that always tops the list of unmet needs of seniors. So it’s only natural that since 2005, the Council on Aging has been working to identify the specific transportation needs of seniors and create solutions for those needs.

Overview

In 2006, COA’s Community Assessment committee published a report documenting a survey of 533 Davidson County residents (85% were seniors) and their needs and perceptions regarding current transportation options. The study revealed the need for more door-through-door transportation, coordination of public and private organizations with congregations, replication of model programs and better information about transportation options.

Thanks to past funding from the Frist and HCA Foundations, and a current New Freedom grant, COA has been able to implement some of the recommendations from the 2006 report. Our vision is the creation of supplemental transportation programs that complement existing services and provide door-through-door support.

Transportation Summary 2010

Read the Council on Aging's Transportation Summary.

Transportation Toolkit

The toolkit includes information on model transportation programs across the country and addresses funding and liability issues, too. This is a great resource for community groups looking at starting a transportation program in their community. To obtain a copy of the Transportation Toolkit, contact the COA office at (615) 353-4235.

Community Transportation Projects

Bellevue

COA hosted a series of senior transportation roundtable meetings in Bellevue and helped the FiftyForward J.L. Turner Center secure New Freedom funding for a senior transportation project. The result – The Turner Center now provides a van shuttle service to and from the center twice a week for older adults who no longer drive. Participants benefit from exercise at the adjoining YMCA and get regular rides to the grocery store.

For more information, contact the FiftyForward J.L. Turner Center, (615) 646-9622.

Brentwood

Following COA’s Senior Transportation Call to Action meeting in January 2009, the Brentwood Rides workgroup formed. The group has explored model programs and discussed the unmet transportation needs of Brentwood seniors.

A formal needs assessment is currently underway. New members to this workgroup are welcome. Monthly meetings are held at the FiftyForward Martin Center. For more information, please contact the Council on Aging, (615) 353-4235.

Madison

In Spring 2009, COA partnered with the Area Agency on Aging and Disability to assemble a successful team application for the Senior Transportation Institute in Washington, D.C. The team is focusing on the Madison area and includes Gary Garrett (Area Agency on Aging & Disability), Anne Whitlow (FiftyForward Madison Station Senior Center), Cynthia Whitehead (MTA/AccessRide) and Ruth Harris (American Legion Auxiliary).

COA is helping the team develop door-through-door transportation in Madison using volunteers as both personal assistants on public transit and volunteer drivers. The team will also address the unique the unique needs of local veterans. For more information, please contact please contact the Council on Aging, (615) 353-4235.

Older Driver Safety

COA is a founding member of the Tennessee Department of Transportations's (TDOT) Tennessee Coalition for the Safety of Senior Drivers. As part of this group, COA helped create two older driver safety booklets:

Decisions for Tennessee's Senior Driver (for seniors)
Driver Safety for Tennessee Seniors (for family members & caregivers)

For more information, visit TDOT.

For a list of transportation options in Middle Tennessee, see the Mobility Matters brochure or the Transportation chapter of COA’s online Directory of Services for Seniors.

Other Resources

Beverly Foundation - Fostering new ideas and options to enhance mobility and transportation for today's and tomorrow's older population. The foundation pursues this mission through a specialized series of research programs, community demonstrations, and technical assistance products. The website provides a wealth of information related to senior transportation, along with a list of STAR Award winners.

STP Exchange - This free website, sponsored by the Beverly Foundation, provides a Volunteer Driver Turnkey Kit, a wonderful guide to starting a volunteer driver program. It’s also a forum for peer-to-peer information exchange related to senior transportation.

National Center on Senior Transportation - Increasing transportation options for older adults and enhancing their ability to live more independently within their communities throughout the United States. Visit their website for a wealth of information including: transportation solutions for caregivers, information on funding sources and model programs, & distance learning opportunities.

AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety - Saving lives and reducing injuries on the roads.　 Since 1947, the Foundation has funded over 170 research projects designed to discover the causes of traffic crashes, prevent them, and minimize injuries when they do occur. We have used this research to develop dozens of focused, high-impact educational materials for drivers, pedestrians, bicyclists and other road users.

Seniordrivers.org - A very useful website for seniors, family members and professionals which includes: driving self assessments, safe driving resources, planning for continued mobility post driving, driver refresher training and state license policies & practices.

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