How can I find transportation and other community services for my aging family member?

Transportation

Local NAMI Affiliates may be able to provide contact information for local transportation services. Use the Find Your Local NAMI tool on NAMI’s website to connect with your local NAMI affiliate.
211 connects individuals with local resources including employment, health, financial assistance, crisis, food, transportation, etc. Dial 2-1-1 from any phone (mobile or landline) or use their website to search for contact information by zip code
GoGo Grandparent is a service that allows a call from a landline or flip phone to function like a smartphone to request licensed and authorized Transportation Network Companies on a senior’s behalf (maintains heightened security and monitoring features).
Connect2Affect provides resources that meet the needs of older adults who are isolated or lonely. They also provide a “Find programs in your community” locator connecting individuals to local programs including social activities, volunteering, learning, wellness, transportation, financial and food assistance, and more.
FindHelp.org by Aunt Bertha is an online service that connects users to free and reduced cost local resources nationwide such as medical care, food, housing, transportation and much more. Website also offered in Spanish.   
Rideshare Companies: Some senior centers across the country provide residents with rides through UberCentral.  Check with local senior center or their local Area Agency on Aging www.n4a.org.  Lyft offers GreatCall, a Jitterbug medical alert and phone company, to offer a rideshare service for seniors. Individuals do not need the App to schedule a ride. Instead, they can dial Lyft’s GreatCall phone number, type zero, and an operator will schedule the Lyft. 
Medicaid Transportation, covers non-emergency medical transportation (NEMT) for eligible individuals to and from the doctor’s office, the hospital, or another medical office for Medicaid-approved care for enrollees who have no other means of transportation. NEMT benefits cover a broad range of transportation services including trips in taxis, buses, vans and personal vehicles belonging to an enrollee and their family or friends. States can opt to administer NEMT coverage or contract with another entity such as a transportation broker or managed care organization to manage NEMT coverage.  Recent changes in HHS’s Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services regulations and guidelines have also significantly expanded NEMT benefits by allowing Medicare Advantage, or Medicare Part C, plans to offer transportation benefits. 
- Coverage depends on each individual’s situation and needs. Some people may need to get their state Medicaid agency’s approval to qualify for a ride. This fact sheet on the Medicaid Non-Emergency Medical Transportation Benefit from the Medicaid website provides more information on a state’s Medicaid agency.
- Modivcare is the nation’s largest manager of NEMT programs for state government agencies and managed care organizations. If your health plan is enrolled with Modivcare, you can use their website, app, or mass transit resources for support scheduling non-emergency medical transportation to appointments.

Other Community Services

AARP Friendly Voices Warmline is a volunteer-based service that offers phone calls during challenging and isolating times. Callers must call first and provide information. To reach the AARP Warmline contact (888) 281-0145. For Spanish contact (888) 497-4108. 
ElderCare Locator HelpLine (800) 677-1116 is maintained by the Administration on Community Living (ACL) and helps to locate housing, public benefits assistance, at-home care, and other local resources for aging citizens.
Community Resource Finder, maintained by the Alzheimer’s Association and AARP, provides a listing of resources for the aging including homecare, community services, housing options, medical assistance, and more.
Elder Law provides information and resources on estate planning, long-term care planning, Medicaid rules and planning, medical directives and nursing home issues. They also offer a “Find an Attorney” function to locate attorneys specializing in elder law. To reach Elder Law call (866) 267-0947.
National Institute on Aging provides comprehensive section on caregiving for those who take care of a friend or family member with a serious health condition, including information on long-term care, advance care planning, long-distance caregiving and Alzheimer's Caregiving as well as articles responding to FAQs. NIA’s End-of-Life Care section of website that addresses myriad concerns, including Making Difficult End-of-Life Decisions, Advance Directives, Support for Caregiver, including information on Respite Care.

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Email: helpline@nami.org