Grants Say Yes to Mobility for Central Florida Seniors

May 16, 2012 - PRLog -- John Robert Smith, president and CEO of Reconnecting America and co-chair of Transportation of America asked the question, “What happens when people in the largest generation ever, with the longest predicted lifespan ever, outlive their ability to drive for everything?” According to TRIP, a national transportation research group, 20% of drivers in Florida are aged 65 and over. Baby boomers, a large segment of our local population, will require support to help meet their daily need of getting to and from essential medical appointments.  

To help increase the quality of life for seniors and provide them with mobility options,Jewish Family Services of Greater Orlando (JFS) recently received a grant from the Harper Family Charitable Foundation for the RIDE (Reliable Independent Drivers for the Elderly) Program. Furthermore, recognizing mobility as an issue for seniors, TRIP and AASHTO, the American Association of State Highway Transportation Officials, have released a February 2012 report, "Keeping Baby Boomers Mobile: Preserving the Mobility and Safety of Older Americans,” outlining better and safer mobility for older Americans and the population at large.

RIDE is a grant-funded program through the Joseph G. Markoly Foundation, the VNA Foundation and now the Harper Family Charitable Foundation, designed to provide free door-to-door transportation to medical appointments for low-income older adults or disabled individuals who have no other means of transportation. JFS developed this program because studies have shown that public transportation and para-transit service cannot meet the travel needs of an ever increasing elderly population.  

Participation in the RIDE Program is based on need, regardless of cultural, ethnic or religious affiliation. If you have questions about the RIDE Program, please contact Brittany Meador at 407-644-7593, ext. 239 for more information.

Links:

Ride Program: http://jfsorlando.org/program.html#emergency

Senior Mobility Report: http://www.tripnet.org/docs/Older_Drivers_TRIP_Report_Feb...