How Do I Sign Up for Senior Transportation Services in Arkansas?

Being independent is one of the key priorities for most senior citizens. In fact, one UK survey showed that senior citizens are more fearful about losing their independence than any other part of getting older. This is why, at Arkansas Association of Area Agencies on Aging, we like to provide services—such as individual and non-emergency transportation services—that help senior citizens retain their independence for as long as possible.

What can you use Transportation Services for?

It is important to note that our senior transportation services in Arkansas are not for emergencies. If you are in crisis, you must phone 911 or an emergency contact number. That said, the transportation services we offer are flexible and tailored to your specific needs. Remember, however, that availability and schedules vary depending on the region you live in.

The types of trips you might use this service for include:

• Attending medical or dental appointments
• Going shopping
• Visiting relatives
• Attending a wedding or funeral
• Picking up medications from the pharmacy
• Visiting an attraction or attending an activity
• Visiting a place of worship

The availability of transportation very much depends on where you live. To see the areas we serve, click here. For more information on specific areas, click on the region you’re interested in.

Why is this service important?

Retaining independence is good for emotional, physical, and spiritual health. Below is a list of ways you can benefit in each of these areas while using a transportation service like ours.

1. It allows you to engage with your faith.

If you have attended a place of worship for most of your life, it can be incredibly stressful and spiritually painful to stop attending due to mobility issues. You may feel uncomfortable asking for lifts to and from places of worship, and therefore, could end up skipping it altogether. Places of worship are also important for socializing and being part of a community, which aids all areas of health. As such, having a means to attend worship settings can be essential to your wellbeing.

2. It helps you stay physically healthy.

With age comes a multitude of potential health risks. For example, the risk of stroke doubles after a person reaches 50; yet, early stroke intervention can help minimize the damage it causes. Regularly attending medical appointments and keeping up with medication schedules can help reduce the risk of stroke and many other illnesses associated with getting older. Getting out and about also encourages physical activity, which can lower blood pressure, improve mood, improve cholesterol levels, and reduce stress. These are all important aspects of maintaining good health that can be made available by non-emergency transportation services.

3. It affords better emotional health.

Emotional health is just as important as physical health, with loneliness being one of the biggest killers there is. Furthermore, depression, anxiety, and OCD can increase with feelings of isolation. However, social connection and general daily activity can reduce anxiety, depression, and other symptoms of mental illness. Seeing friends and family and getting out and about with nature can do a world of good for you by helping to keep your spirits lifted—especially if you live alone. Using transportation services offers this means of staying emotionally healthy.

4. It offers practical support.

As we age, our basic responsibilities don’t change much. We still need to feed ourselves, pay our bills, and keep a clean house. However, performing these tasks can only happen with adequate resources. For example, the only way you can make dinner is if you have enough food in the house in the first place. The only way you can keep a clean house is if you have the right equipment and cleaning products. Transportation services give you the chance to stock up on what you need from local grocery stores, clothing shops, or similar outlets. As result, they help you to maintain your sense of normal daily life as a senior.

5. It can keep hobbies going.

Everyone has hobbies, whether they be sports, arts and crafts, or going to the movies. Just because a person gets older and might have limited mobility doesn’t mean they should have to stop enjoying their hobbies. Senior transportation services allow people with mobility issues to continue life as normal. With them, you can attend your usual bridge tournaments, dog shows, art classes, or book clubs without worrying about how to get there and back. Keeping hobbies promotes good emotional and physical health, too, and having the means to do so is vitally important.

6. It allows you to attend important events.

Just because you or your loved one has mobility problems doesn’t mean you should miss out on weddings, funerals, and other important ceremonial events. As soon as you have a special date in mind, get in touch with the senior transportation services in your area and find out whether transportation can be organized to help you attend this important occasion.

Who is this service for?

Our senior transportation services in Arkansas are designed for men and women age 55 and over who have difficulty accessing public transport, or who have mobility issues that prevent them from traveling independently.

Our friendly, trained staff will organize either a one-time or regular transportation schedule with you, pick you up from an agreed location, and help support you on the journey. If you have any particular medical conditions, let us know, and we will help accommodate you.

How do I sign up for Senior Transportation Services in Arkansas?

If you or your aging loved one would like to use our transportation services, the first step is to get in touch with your nearest Area Agency on Aging’s Information and Assistance specialists.

Click here and select the region closest to you or the older person you support. Then click on the chosen region to be directed to the appropriate information page. There are eight regions in total to choose from, with a helpful interactive map that can aid you if you’re not sure which one is nearest you.

If you have any questions about our senior transportation services, you can get in touch with one of our friendly team members today: just give us a call at (866)-245-5498. You can also fill out this contact form if you would prefer us to call you back. We are here to support you, and we look forward to doing so in any way we can!