Older Americans could be stranded without better transit

[marmar]

from Grist:


Older Americans could be stranded without better transit

by Sarah Goodyear
17 Jun 2011 11:43 AM


Earlier this week, Transportation for America released a report called "Aging in Place: Stuck Without Options." It looks at how as the enormous baby boom generation gets older -- the way all of us do, until we die, that is -- access to transit is going to be a bigger and bigger problem.

Most people these days, the report points out, want to get old where they are currently living rather than move to a retirement community. "Aging in place" is what the demographers call it.

But aging in place is hard to do successfully and happily in communities that are built exclusively around the automobile.

This is a problem. Not just for older people who want to stay in the communities they know and love even if they are no longer able to drive, or can't afford the expense of a car on a fixed income. It is also a problem for younger family members, who can end up with the responsibility of shuttling them around. ..............(more)

The complete piece is at: http://www.grist.org/transportation/2011-06-17-older-americans-could-be-stranded-without-better-transit

[Warpy]

1. I watched my mother get stranded after she lost her sight

in a town in Florida with no public transportation and only sporadic cab service. My dad didn't seem to understand how trapped she felt.

I've overreacted, always living in an inner city, within walking distance to amenities. This city is a car based city so the walks are often long, but for now they're doable. There is also a rudimentary bus system and cabs that run 24 hours a day.

I never want to be stranded like my mother was.

[pstokely]

2. Baby Booomers did it to themselves by defunding public transit and moving to suburbs

Outside of large urban areas, public transportation is seen as being for "those people"