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"Who’s Driving Grandma?" Fixing the Ride Gap for Seniors & Vets
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ABOUT THIS EPISODE
I had the opportunity to sit down with Stephen Kaminski, the mobility manager for Region 4 of Connecticut's "The Way to Go" program. Their goal is to promote and coordinate transportation options for people with disabilities, older adults, and Veterans in the state of CT.
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ABOUT THE SHOW MUSIC
You So Zany by Audionautix is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 license. https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/
Artist: http://audionautix.com/
==============================
ABOUT THE EPISODE GUEST
My guest on this episode was Steven Kaminski, mobility manager for Region 4 of Connecticut. The Way to Go program is a division of transportation in conjunction with Amplify CT out of Glastonbury CT. The Way to Go program offers resources to our Older Adult Community, Disabled and our Veteran communities. In conjunction with the Kennedy Collective and Greater Hartford Transit District, The Way to Go program offers extensive help in connecting people with reliable and affordable transportation. Steven can be reached at 860-267-5439 x 100.
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SHOW TRANSCRIPT
Challenges -In just a few years (2037), our state’s population age 65 or older will increase by 12%. CT Life expectancy at birth is 81 Y.O. (National Average is 79) Access to reliable transportation has become a very pressing issue for many older CT residents. In some cases, our older populations also have disabilities (Approx 1/3) This current generation (Mostly) has email but are not always as comfortable with the internet and navigating websites. Cost is, in most cases, a determining factor for mobility choices. Navigating public transit is intimidating and often too diicult to access. Some towns are rural and have limited access to medical appointments OR the primary care is in another town hard to access. Talking points/Solutions Greater Hartford Transit District and CT DOT have taken into consideration the growing age demographic. With programs like Dial a Ride/Associated often with Town Senior Centers there are some solutions for current and future needs.
ADA Paratransit-Using a user-friendly online Application, if you have a disability, whether it is temporary or permanent, you can apply for the ADA paratransit status. This opens several resources that can be free or at a low cost to assist in your mobility needs. FREEDOM RIDE, M7 Taxi, oer reduced fares. CT DOT sets the rate. Our Program is available to anyone with a disability and or Veteran status despite their age. Currently, technology must appeal more to caregivers. But most services still allow setting up rides via phone calls. Reduced fares for ADA paratransit and services like GO GO Grandparent. Lyft also has a Price lock for commonly traveled routes. We do have travel training programs through the GHTD and the Kennedy Collective that will “Literally” guide you through every step of your public transit route. Part of any mobility resource identies the “Gaps” and through collaboration and the use of a steering committee, we can strive to create new solutions. Transportation for our Older Adults will be an ongoing need. So, it’s great we have resources in place, but it’s crucial we change with the times.
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By William CorbettVisit our website Visit our Facebook page Visit our Youtube Channel
ABOUT THIS EPISODE
I had the opportunity to sit down with Stephen Kaminski, the mobility manager for Region 4 of Connecticut's "The Way to Go" program. Their goal is to promote and coordinate transportation options for people with disabilities, older adults, and Veterans in the state of CT.
==============================
ABOUT THE SHOW MUSIC
You So Zany by Audionautix is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 license. https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/
Artist: http://audionautix.com/
==============================
ABOUT THE EPISODE GUEST
My guest on this episode was Steven Kaminski, mobility manager for Region 4 of Connecticut. The Way to Go program is a division of transportation in conjunction with Amplify CT out of Glastonbury CT. The Way to Go program offers resources to our Older Adult Community, Disabled and our Veteran communities. In conjunction with the Kennedy Collective and Greater Hartford Transit District, The Way to Go program offers extensive help in connecting people with reliable and affordable transportation. Steven can be reached at 860-267-5439 x 100.
==============================
SHOW TRANSCRIPT
Challenges -In just a few years (2037), our state’s population age 65 or older will increase by 12%. CT Life expectancy at birth is 81 Y.O. (National Average is 79) Access to reliable transportation has become a very pressing issue for many older CT residents. In some cases, our older populations also have disabilities (Approx 1/3) This current generation (Mostly) has email but are not always as comfortable with the internet and navigating websites. Cost is, in most cases, a determining factor for mobility choices. Navigating public transit is intimidating and often too diicult to access. Some towns are rural and have limited access to medical appointments OR the primary care is in another town hard to access. Talking points/Solutions Greater Hartford Transit District and CT DOT have taken into consideration the growing age demographic. With programs like Dial a Ride/Associated often with Town Senior Centers there are some solutions for current and future needs.
ADA Paratransit-Using a user-friendly online Application, if you have a disability, whether it is temporary or permanent, you can apply for the ADA paratransit status. This opens several resources that can be free or at a low cost to assist in your mobility needs. FREEDOM RIDE, M7 Taxi, oer reduced fares. CT DOT sets the rate. Our Program is available to anyone with a disability and or Veteran status despite their age. Currently, technology must appeal more to caregivers. But most services still allow setting up rides via phone calls. Reduced fares for ADA paratransit and services like GO GO Grandparent. Lyft also has a Price lock for commonly traveled routes. We do have travel training programs through the GHTD and the Kennedy Collective that will “Literally” guide you through every step of your public transit route. Part of any mobility resource identies the “Gaps” and through collaboration and the use of a steering committee, we can strive to create new solutions. Transportation for our Older Adults will be an ongoing need. So, it’s great we have resources in place, but it’s crucial we change with the times.