A listing of Maine's regional transit agencies and volunteer ridesharing organizations, which provide scheduled bus services along fixed routes and on-call rides to help non-driving seniors get to medical appointments and run errands.
Links to agencies that provide senior transportation assistance.
Provides non-emergency medical transportation for MaineCare eligible riders, as well as services for riders who are elderly, have disabilities, and people with low income. Serves residents of Knox, Lincoln, and Sagadahoc Counties and the towns of Brunswick and Harpswell.
Fee-based transportation service for people 65 years and older or who have visual impairments. Operates within 15-mile radius of Portland and is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, for any transportation purpose.
Whether you want to fly out to the islands, visit a friend, go shopping, or simply need a ride to the doctor’s, RideFinder will give you the most current information available as to what your options are.
A fleet of 36+ lift-equipped buses and vans, 40+ agency certified drivers and a volunteer program that involves more than 60 drivers serving Cumberland County residents who need to get to medical appointments, grocery shopping, work and other important places.
SCP volunteers provide companionship to fail seniors in order to provide socialization, transportation to medical appointments, grocery shopping and other essential errands, and respite for family caregivers. Volunteers receive a non-taxable stipend in return for volunteering, meal and travel support.
Provides ShuttleBus local service within Biddeford, Saco and Old Orchard Beach; ShuttleBus intercity service connecting Tri-Towns with Scarborough, South Portland and Portland; and ZOOM commuter service linking Biddeford and Saco with downtown Portland.
Affiliated with Mercy Hospital, VNA’s LifeStages programs provide in-home care services to help seniors maintain independent lifestyles as they age. Services include companionship and personal care, transportation, chronic disease management, and mediation services for seniors and their families.
Q: My eyesight and hearing aren’t as good as they used to be. Are there any tricks or tips I can use to help me adapt and keep driving?
Manager of public affairs, AAA Northern New England
A: You are not alone, as declining hearing and vision are both common concerns for older drivers. You can’t turn back the clock but you can get frequent vision and hearing exams and your health care provider may be able to help. Changes to our bodies can happen very subtly and you might be surprised at how much your vision has changed since your last eye exam. Maybe it is time for a new prescription, or time to limit driving at night or in poor visibility conditions. I would also recommend frequently cleaning your windshield on the inside and out, cleaning your headlights and replacing your windshield wipers before they begin to smear. There are a number of options available for self-assessment. One of the best free resources is the AAA Roadwise Review, available by visiting www.seniordriving.aaa.com, which helps identify challenges with your visual, mental and physical condition. To really understand your current driving abilities, consider getting an in-depth driving skills evaluation or clinical assessment by a trained professional.
Q: What are the key things we should be watching for to decide whether my mom should stop driving?
A: Normal aging does affect driving, but there isn’t set age when a person is no longer safe behind the wheel. In fact, most people can safely drive well into old age. When people become unsafe to drive, it’s generally the result of an underlying medical condition or medications, not reaching a certain age. Some things to look for: Suffered a stroke, heart attack or diminished eyesight; experiences difficulty in negotiating sharp turns and intersections; becomes lost on familiar routes; feels nervous or exhausted after driving; drives too slow or too fast; or hesitates over right of way or situations once taken for granted.
Q: My siblings and I would like to talk with someone about our elderly father
and his driving. He sometimes forgets simple things like putting on the blinker or looking
in the rearview mirror when he backs up. He knows he could use some help, but we can’t take
him everywhere he wants or needs to go. He lives in Portland, but likes to drive to Standish
to visit friends. What would you advise?
-Robert in South Portland
Director of Community Services at the Southern Maine Agency on Aging
A: Driving can be a challenge for older Mainers and here are some things to consider. If your father would agree to have his driving skills evaluated, AARP offers a refresher course for older drivers. You can find information on it at www.aarpdriversafety.org. AAA also has options for self evaluation at www.seniordriving.aaa.com.
If you and your family determine your father shouldn’t be driving, there are several alternatives in the Greater Portland area for getting to medical appointments as well as some limited public transportation for errands and shopping.
Email us at [email protected] with your questions. We’ll find an expert who can offer advice and post their response here.
Visit The Challenge of our Age on Facebook to talk with other seniors and caregivers and share advice about issues you’ve faced.
