Lyft/Uber like options for Senior Citizens in No. VA (Arlington: coupons, limousine)

[sprklcl]

(Forgive if posted multiple times, forum not updating)

My mom in her 80s lives in western Fairfax County 1-2 miles from the Loudoun County line, and can still drive under limited circumstances. Other times when the handicapped parking at a medical facility is bad i.e. Fair Oaks Hospital heard another patient coming into one of my mom's doctors office there once said spent 90 minutes looking for a handicapped space and the valet parking does not serve all buildings, and my mom walking with a cane or wheeled walker from further parking is not a good situation *or* the weather is bad, door to door transportation is ideal. Tried my mom with my smart phone multiple times hoping she could use the Lyft or Uber app, she does not get it with technical knowledge to maneuver the apps and other physical limitations (arthritis in hands, lesser eyesight) or typing on a tiny keyboard (driver pickup notes as sometimes GPS can be off) The taxi service such as Red Top which she can call on the outage edge of their service, often takes 45 minutes or more to arrive not knowing when they show up. She can use a computer with a larger screen she can see, but Lyft and Uber does not support desktops/laptops. Most of her neighbors work and other relatives are further away than me.

Other than me going to her house to get her, any other options? Since I am semi-retired doing flexible side gig computer work, most often I can take her to her appointments when circumstances dictate better she not drive, but there are times here and there I cannot. She does not mind paying taxi-like rates for the service, if it were reliable and says show up on demand within 10-15 minutes, and someone calls/contacts her upon arrival or a few minutes before. Though she can manage a step up of a min-van or SUV here and there as when at times I have taken her in Lyft (weather and parking bad at destination), mostly getting into sedans is her preference. She has developing hip problems, but not ready for a wheelchair yet.

Am sure am not alone in this dilemma with elderly parents, with others with somewhat situations, hope someone can offer insight or helpful suggestions.

[Mikemapva]

The Fairfax County Government site lists some ride services available for seniors here:

https://www.fairfaxcounty.gov/family...r-older-adults

[sprklcl]

Thanks for the reply, but all of the options on the map link at the county website above for her address in Fairfax County address, have tried or found have issues.

1) Taxi voucher program - worked in the past years ago though limited number of trips per year, when taxis were more plentiful before Lyft and Uber days.
2) Shepherd Center Western Fairfax - applied for some time back, but never used. Found had to give them at least five business days notice, and then they give you notice one day before if a volunteer could not be found and then scramble for alternate transpo. Does not work for appointments which know about less than a week in advance.
3) MetroAccess - difficult to apply for, requires trip into DC to be seen by one of WMATA's doctors. Service unreliable from others service experience seen and heard first hand.
4) Logisticare - mom on Medicare only, not on Medicaid which eligibility for service requires.
5) bus service is out - too much walking with cane/walker to main road even if direct route.

Any private services, taxis or cars? Looked at CENTREVILLE TAXI CAB which has really good reviews, but it appears many of their vehicles are high step up getting into the vehicle (not good with hip problem). Several other smaller taxi services in her area of the county, either bad reviews or not enough online reviews to make a decision.

[virgo]

Hello. I know some of the home health care agencies offer transportation to and from appointments; however, I do not know how pricey the service is.

Are there any Senior Centers or Adult Day Health Care Centers in your mom's area that might offer this type of service? I live in Reston, VA, and I know that the neighboring town of Herndon, VA, has a senior center that offers transportation services.

Have you already tried Seniors on the Go?

This is from their website: Seniors-On-The-Go! is a transportation program for seniors 65 years of age or older who meet certain income criteria and live in Fairfax County or the City of Fairfax. The program provides subsidized taxicab fare in the form of paper coupons.

Trying to help--good luck to you!

[sprklcl]

Virgo, thank you for trying to help.

The taxi voucher program in Fairfax County offers is the same as Seniors On The Go. Years ago, before Lyft and Uber came into business, taxis that accepted the vouchers such as Red Top were plentiful. The major taxi companies now have far fewer drivers on the road and particularly in our part of the county, especially being on their fringe area near Loudoun County, and with many of the traditional taxi drivers gone to work for Lyft and Uber where pay is some better. Her experience in recent months, the few times she has had to use a taxi, good luck getting one to show up within 30 minutes and after a couple of calls, which is not reliable getting to a timed medical appointment. I did call Centreville Taxi Cab (my previous post), though well rated in user reviews and rates are reasonable, since they have been only been in business a few months, though otherwise very accommodating and nice, they only have a few vehicles now for local travel (hope that will improve with more business), which they suggested calling an hour in advance for service to guarantee a particular arrival time or up to 40 minutes wait for return trips from a doctor's office if not pay the driver to wait while at the doctor. Red Top is worse for prearranged trips, two hours in advance and they will not accept prearranged trips if call during peak periods. Prearranged trips do not work when not sure what time will finish at the doctor's office, unless its say regular physical therapy sessions.

The senior center in my mom's area (Centreville/Chantilly) is associated with the Shepherd Center (transportation) and they share offices in the same building. As in my previous post, though may work here and there, its volunteer based, there are times if they lack a volunteer they cannot provide transportation. I have bookmarked located in Reston/Herndon nearby Buckley's For Seniors - Home , but they are pricey.

Wish she could use Lyft or Uber on her own, but that is more explained in my original post. Yes, I could call Lyft or Uber from my home for her, but seen too many GPS issues for pick ups, which can be especially difficult to resolve if you are remote. Too often the GPS puts the car houses down the street from her home or mix ups with multiple building entrances at medical office; even after using the app GPS PIN, entering the business name or exact residential address, and texting the driver to clarify. Though got the GPS corrected on Google/Android for her house, but if the driver has an iphone (need an iphone to make GPS address updates) or uses another one of the 7 GPS systems in the US, that does not help.

Thanks so far for the responses. Seniors who at times or permanently unable to drive, hoping there are better options.

[weezycom]

a lot more expensive, but why not try a limo/executive car service company, like Reston Limousine? They have lots of big black sedans and it's something that can be scheduled over the phone a day or so in advance.

[sprklcl]

Yes, I actually have used Reston Limousine service in a way when lived in Fair Lakes and rode their coach bus service to commute during rush hour to the Metro, and I was generally pleased with it.

Though hoping can use Centreville Taxi - or any other suggestions here - if this works well to get her to the doctor when the need arises as this can be prearranged, getting home back from the doctor is more problematic as often never sure how long can be there, so this cannot be prearranged, and still have need for a reliable on-demand option for the return trip.

[hertfordshire]

Medical Transportation | Wheelchair Transportation

Another option is to go on Care.com and filter care providers by who can provide transportation, and hire them just for the day of appointments. But that could get fairly expensive.

[sprklcl]

Originally Posted by hertfordshire

Medical Transportation | Wheelchair Transportation

Another option is to go on Care.com and filter care providers by who can provide transportation, and hire them just for the day of appointments. But that could get fairly expensive.

Thanks for the reply. Will take some time to look into Medical Transportation | Wheelchair Transportation and care.com.

[virgo]

I forgot to mention that when I used to take taxis (Red Top Arlington) regularly, I could put in a call the day before (like 18 hours before needed) and request a cab for a particular time. I also remember specifically requesting a taxi (a Reston cab company), the day before, for an early morning pickup to go to Dulles Airport. It's too bad that so much has changed with the taxi companies.

Have you already tried Go-Go-Grandparent? If you scroll down their page, you will eventually see an option to add a zip code to see if their service is offered in your area.

Below is a snippet from their website:
Your agent for affordable rides.
Use Lyft or Uber without a smartphone.
24/7 operators watch rides and offer support.
Text alerts keep families in the loop.


Good luck!!!!!