An increasing number of senior living and aging services organizations are turning to ride hailing apps such as Uber and Lyft as an option for their residents and customers.
An executive at Lyft recently stated, “At Lyft we are trying to revolutionize how the senior care industry thinks about transportation and using technology to change these outdated processes.” He describes the core values of Lyft as reconnecting people with their communities and emphasized the importance of creating strong partnerships and partnering with decision makers in aging services organizations.
A key part of the custom solutions offered to aging services organizations is the company’s Concierge tool, which allows the service to be used by older individuals without smartphones. Additionally, ride sharing companies are looking to differentiate themselves by giving back to aging services organizations. Lyft recently announced a pilot program in Palo Alto in which 1% of profits from rides booked through Home Care Assistance—one of the largest in-home care providers in the country—xwill be donated to the Village to Village Network, the national organization for the membership-driven, grassroots Villages Movement.
Uber is also making increased efforts to serve the needs of older adults. In 2015 they began multiple pilot programs in US municipalities. For example, in Gainesville, Florida, a pilot program offers older adults from two local senior centers rides at discounted rates as a result of financial support provided by the city. Additionally, the recently launched uberASSIST program offers trained drivers with vehicles that can accommodate folding wheelchairs, walkers, scooters, or other mobility equipment devices.
Sources:
Stramowski A. Lyft Q&A: The plan to reinvent senior living transportation. Senior Housing News. http://seniorhousingnews.com/2016/09/29/lyft-qa-plan-reinvent-senior-living-transportation/. Accessed November 28, 2016.
Roy A. Lyft ups its bet on the senior market with donations to the Village to Village Network. CNBC. http://www.cnbc.com/2016/11/17/lyft-ups-its-bet-on-the-senior-market-with-donations-to-the-village-to-village-network.html. Accessed November 28, 2016.
Study E. Uber, senior living team up to ‘drive’ resident mobility. Senior Housing News. http://seniorhousingnews.com/2015/07/13/uber-senior-living-team-up-to-drive-resident-mobility/. Accessed November 28, 2016.
