Transportation is the means of how you get from one place to another. Seniors most often rely on driving as their means of transportation which may change as they age.
Tips & Links
It is important to explore different means of transportation if you have had a change in your health or mobility to maintain your activities and lifestyle.
About Driving Safety
- Road-Safety BC created a Driver’s Medical Examination Report (DMER) “helps to determine if a driver’s medical condition affects their ability to drive safely”. The test includes cognition (for example, memory, attention, and judgment), eyesight, and overall physical health tests as outlined by the Government of BC.
- For seniors, Road-Safety BC suggest seniors complete a DMER at 80 and at 85 years of age and every 2 years after that. After 80 years of age, ICBC should mail you a report (with detailed instructions on the back) to take to your physician or nurse practitioner who must complete the form and send it for review by Road-Safety BC within 45 days of it being issued. Learn more from the Government of BC.
- “In B.C., doctors, registered psychologists, and optometrists all have a legal duty to report patients whose driving ability is in question. As well, police officers, family members, and other concerned individuals can report unsafe drivers to the Superintendent of Motor vehicles.”
Options for Transportation
- Explore the list of transportation options if you should need to retire your Driver’s License or take a leave from driving for a period of time from the Government of BC.
- Consider getting a Compass Card and learn about different means of transportation like TransLink (bus and Skytrain service in Vancouver and the lower mainland).
- Learn about HandyDART is a door-to-door ride-shared ride service for people with physical limitations and/or cognitive disabilities. Learn how you can use your Compass Card to pay for your HandyDART rides.
- Inquire about communities-based shuttle services and volunteer ride-share programs provided by local non-profit agencies.
- Know that people needing assistance or over 65 years of age and their caregivers can get discounts with your HandyCard or a Compass Card.
- If you are registered with HandyDART and it is not available in your community, you may be able to use taxi services who accept TaxiSaver vouchers.
- Learn how to use taxi and uber services safely with the TaxiSaver Program.
- Check out ‘Seniors on the Move’ for tips and how to access various transportation options – advice for all ages.
- Ask your care partners for assistance in driving to and from treatments or when you are feeling unwell.
- Learn how to get a special parking permit from SPARC-BC the Social Planning & Research Council of BC.
Health Care-Travel
- Learn about the Travel-Assistance Program (TAPs) that covers some of the transportation costs to specialist appointments, tests, surgeries, or hospital stays when the care is not available in your home community from the Government of BC.
- It may also cover transportation to some diagnostic procedures, laboratory procedures, diagnostic radiology, nuclear medicine procedures, BC Cancer Agency, Transplant Units, HIV/AIDS treatment at St. Paul’s Hospital, specialty clinics at BC Children’s Hospital and other tertiary care hospital services.
- Learn about the travel and housing reimbursement program for people receiving cancer treatment outside of their home community who are eligible from the Canadian Cancer Society.
File copies of your assessment forms, instructions, invoices, and transportation information in your Mywell Health print or digital planner under My Day to Day.
Tools & Videos
Categories: My Day to Day, Senior
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