The Transportation Crisis No One Talks About: How Seniors Miss Medical Care

After 40 years as a radiologist, I watched patients cancel life-saving appointments because they couldn’t get a ride

Why the Obvious Solutions Don’t Work

“Just take the senior shuttle,” doctors say. They’ve never sat in one.

Community shuttles run predetermined routes with multiple stops. Your 10 a.m. cardiology appointment means pickup at 7:30 a.m., three other passengers to collect, stops at two different medical buildings, and finally arrival at your destination around 9:45. After your appointment, you wait. The shuttle returns at 2 p.m. because that’s when the route circles back. A 20-minute doctor visit consumes six hours of your day.

“Ask your kids for help.” Sure. Your son took off work last Tuesday for your orthopedist. Your daughter drove you to the eye doctor on Thursday. Now you need to see the cardiologist next week. How many times can you ask before you see that look — the one that says they love you but they’re drowning trying to balance their own lives?

Taxis? At $40 each way for appointments twice a week, you’re looking at $320 a month. Most seniors can’t afford that on a fixed income.