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Holiday Tips for Senior Travel
With the holidays approaching, if your senior loved one wants to travel, get them where they need to go safely, and with minimal stress.
Below are a few tips to make holiday travel a seamless process that will keep them comfortable, relaxed and arriving at their destination with ease.
Prepare documents and medications
When booking fl ights, get as much information as possible. Having an informational packet put together will help everyone know what to expect and feel prepared.
Your packet should include: • Flight departure / arrival times • Transportation options to and from the airport • Terminal maps and gate locations • Medication regulations and necessary documents • TSA safety check process
Look through the TSA website to learn about which medications are allowed and how to communicate with an offi cer about medically necessary bottles or containers. Request copies of prescriptions and statements of medical conditions from each physician and medical center for verifi cation.
Make photocopies of passports, driver’s license, insurance cards, travel tickets and the trip’s itinerary provides a backup in case of any unforeseen emergencies. Many seniors no longer have a driver’s license, which can present a problem when going through airport security. Be sure that the individual has state ID, military ID, passport, or similar credential. Keep one set of copies with you, place a set of the documents in your senior’s carryon bag and forward a set of the documents to the destination.
Consider insurance
When traveling, seniors are at greatest risk of being in need of a health care emergency. The right insurance package for one’s age group can protect their health and give you peace of mind.
Health Insurance: If traveling within the United States, be sure to look up what hospitals accept your health insurance and if there is coverage during travel. If going abroad, look at buying a travel medical plan or vacation plan that includes medical emergencies.
Trip Insurance: There are a few diff erent options when choosing trip insurance. For seniors, there can be unexpected delays due to appointments, or medical clearance delays. Therefore, it is ideal that trip cancellation protection is provided.
If your loved one is nervous about the upcoming trip, let them vent and answer their concerns. Be calm and optimistic. Remember that all of this preparation is worthwhile.
Editor’s Note: This article was submitted by Apryl Garrett, Publisher of the Seniors Blue Book of Greater Pittsburgh. She can be reached at 412-551-5951 or by email at Apryl@SeniorsBlueBook.com. Visit www.SeniorsBlueBook.com for additional educational articles, videos, resources and information.
Butler Area Rural Transit (BART)
www.anrinfo.org 724-282-6060 Shared ride service
Butler Transit Authority
130 Hollywood Dr Ste 101, Butler 16001 724-283-1783
DAV Van Service to Pittsburgh
2 N Main St Ste 502, Greensburg 15601 724-830-3530 Free transportation offered to Veterans by SWPA AAA
Faith in Action - Beaver County
800-207-6701 Free ride program for those 60+ who reside in Beaver county to get to MD (non-emergency) appointments.
Find My Ride
findmyride.penndot.pa.gov
Free Medical Shuttle for the Alle-Kiski Valley
724-889-0029 Residents receive free, nonemergency medical transportation service. Call for details.
500 Chapel Harbor Dr, Pittsburgh 15238 412-449-0151 Shuttles transport senior citizens to the grocery store, doctor’s offices, pharmacy, UPMC St Margaret Hospital and other locations within its boundaries. Call for details.
Free Transit Program for Senior Citizens
717-783-8025
Freedom Transit - Washington County
50 E Chestnut St, Washington 15301 724-223-8747 Offers door to door transportation services for medical appointments, shopping, work, visiting, church, or recreational trips.
GoGoGrandparent
www.gogograndparent.com 855-464-6872 GoGoGrandparent allows older adults to utilize on demand transportation companies like Lyft, while keeping family and loved ones notified.
Handicap Parking – PA Dept of Transportation
800-932-4600
Heritage Community Transportation
www.heritageserves.org 412-351-2200 Serves 15 communities east of the City of Pittsburgh
In Service of Seniors - Wesley Family Services - Allegheny Cty
221 Penn Ave, Pittsburgh 15221 412-345-7420
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T•T COMMUNITY RESOURCES AND SERVICES
TRANSPORTATION continued
Lyft
Lyft.com/cities/pittsburgh-pa
Medical Assistance Transportation Program (MATP)
888-547-6287 Allegheny County residents who are holders of a valid PA Medical Assistance card are eligible to use MATP. (Non-Medical emergency care).
Mid Mon Valley Transit – 65+ Free Transit Program
1300 McKean Ave, Charleroi 15022 724-489-0880
Mount Lebanon Village - Allegheny County
412-343-4054 Volunteer organization that provides transportation for doctor visits, hairdresser appts, grocery shopping, errands and all Mt Lebanon Village scheduled activities.
National Center on Senior Transportation
866-528-6278
www.nhco.org/services/transportation-assistance/ 412-408-3830 x 3225 This Initiative helps people stabilize their transportation during times of fi nancial uncertainty.
OPT Older Persons Transportation
2100 Wharton St, 2nd Fl, Pittsburgh 15203 412-562-5385
Pennsylvania Yellow Dot Program
www.dot.state.pa.us Yellow Dot decal in your vehicle’s rear window alerts fi rst responders to check your glove compartment for vital information to ensure you receive the medical attention you need.
Pittsburgh Regional Transit
623 Smithfi eld St, Pittsburgh 15222 412-442-2000
Ross Township Senior Shuttle
412-931-7041 Grocery shuttle is off ered to Ross Twp residents.
Seniors for Safe Driving
PO Box 2132, Butler 16003 724-283-0245
Travelers Aid of Pittsburgh
343 Blvd of Allies, Pittsburgh 15222 412-281-5474
TRPIL
42 W Maiden St, Washington 15301 724-223-5115 x1203 Provide rides to grocery stores or appointments
Uber
uber.com/cities/pittsburgh
Washington-Greene County Blind Association - Specialized Services
566 E Maiden St, Washington 15301 724-228-0770
587 Sells Ln, Greensburg 15601 724-832-2706
Westmoreland County Office of Veterans Affairs - Van Service
2 N Main St, Greensburg 15601 724-830-3530
Westmoreland County Transit Authority - Medical Assistance Transportation Program
41 Bell Way, Greensburg 15601 800-221-9282
zTrip
1101 Beaver Ave, Pittsburgh 15233 412-777-7777 Book a black car or taxi in seconds, using the zTrip App, hail on the street or call. Wheelchair vehicles available.
