Blog
Summit County Transportation Services for Older Adults
Nov 08, 2019
Driving to the store or a doctors appointment is something we routinely do. Having that consistent transportation is something we also take for granted. But as we age, it’s one of the first freedoms we have to give up. Once we are unable to drive the ability to make a quick trip to the grocery store becomes something we have to plan for rather than a spur of the moment activity.
When we are unable to do things on our own we start having to rely on others such as friends, family, and sometimes complete strangers. With this, costs increase along with our feeling of being a burden on others.
Luckily for older adults there are services within the community that help support their ability to be mobile and function normally. If you’re caring for an older adult, consider utilizing one of these services to help them feel more independent.
METRO SCAT Program
Akron Metro makes it easier for Summit County residents who are 62 years of age or older or those who have a temporary or permanent disability that prohibits the passenger from using the regular line service to get to and from their necessary destination.
SCAT is a weekday origin-to-destination shared ride service for qualified riders. SCAT uses small buses and contracted vehicles to transport passengers to and from their desired end point. ADA Complementary Paratransit is available for eligible individuals with a functional disability on the same days, hours and areas as the fixed routes within the ADA corridor. SCAT can take qualified passengers to "necessary'' trips including work, higher educational institutions and medical, dental or nursing/independent living facility appointments.
Eligibility determines eligible trip types.
Active Transportation
Provides door-to-door (or curb-to-curb) transportation for ambulatory and non-ambulatory for groups of three (3) or more older adults and individuals with disabilities who are unable to utilize other means of transportation. Active Transportation offers transportation for medical and non-medical activities.
Home Instead Senior Care
Home Instead Senior Care provides transportation and/or escort services for older adults and individuals with disabilities for activities including appointments, meals, religious services, meetings and many others.
Prince of Peace
Prince of Peace provides a variety of supportive services for parishioners and, when possible, people in need in the Barberton and Norton communities. Services may include transportation to doctor's appointments, errand running, or meals following an emergency.
NOTE: This is an all-volunteer program so services may not always be available.
Provide a Ride
Provide a Ride offers transportation for medical needs such as doctor's appointments, adult day care, dialysis, therapy sessions and surgery. They offer transportation in wheelchair accessible vans as well as standard passenger vehicle service.
Provide a Ride serves Northeast Ohio including Cuyahoga, Lorain, Mahoning, Medina, Portage, Stark, Summit, Trumbull, and Wayne counties.
City of Twinsburg Parks and Recreation Department
The City of Twinsburg Parks and Recreation Department offers free van transportation service for non-emergency medical appointments (except following a surgical procedure) and errands for older adults and adults with disabilities who live in the Twinsburg community.
Twinsburg Township
Twinsburg Township offers reduced rates for personalized, pre-arranged transportation service in Summit County for older adults and persons with disabilities through METRO SCAT and ADA.
Visit the Twinsburg Township Hall to complete an application, show proof of residency and SCAT card. Township distributes tickets in blocks of up to 40 per participant.
Transportation Services in Your Community
To view more details about each of these services please 211Summit.org.