Mazel Tov!

TRISTAN
KREINDLER

My Future Options For
Not Being Stuck at Home

L

arry used to drive his wife to
reduced quality of life. In fact, a 2004
her doctors’ appointments,
study found that seniors age 65 and
as well as other errands.
older who no longer drive make 15
But when the 83-year-old’s health
percent fewer trips to the doctor, 59
began to decline, he knew
percent fewer trips to shop or
they would have to find
eat out, and 65 percent fewer
another way to get around.
trips to visit friends and fam-
To his dismay, he found
ily than drivers of the same
that their community did
age
not have many options for
It’s clear we have a prob-
accessible and affordable
lem with not nearly enough
transportation, particular-
answers. But that doesn’t
ly for someone who uses a
mean there aren’t things we
Yuliya
wheelchair.
can all do to help the older
Gaydayenko,
Larry’s situation is
adults in our community.
LMSW
one that could have hap-
Some people and organiza-
pened in almost any state
tions are looking at innovative
in the U.S. It happens
use of technology to figure out
here in Oakland County and across
how a reliable self-driving vehicle or
Southeast Detroit every day.
uber-like technology would work for
The baby boom generation is
older adults with limited means. But
the largest in U.S. history with
it’s hard to say when those solutions
more than 77 million people born
will be available.
between 1946 and 1964. With rising
So how do we solve our transpor-
life expectancies, America’s largest
tation problem today?
generation also will be the oldest
One of the most realistic options
ever. And, not surprisingly, many
is to support specialized transporta-
of them will find that they are no
tion that meets the mobility needs
longer able to drive. So, with 79 per-
of the most vulnerable community
cent of seniors 65 and older living in members.
car-dependent suburban and rural
You can show your support by
communities, that translates to mil-
participating in one of the Regional
lions of older adults who will need
Transit Authority community meet-
affordable alternatives in order to
ings to help them improve their
maintain their independence as long 20-year regional transit plan, which
as possible.
will hopefully appear on the voting
Here are some other unsettling
ballot this fall. Help your community
statistics:
ensure that their mobility needs are
• More than 50 percent of non-
known and accounted for in that
drivers over 65 stay at home without plan.
another form of transportation
You can also vote to support
• 40 percent of women over 75 do
the Regional Transit Authority,
not drive
which was created to improve our
• More than 3.6 million people
public transit infrastructure and
in the U.S. do not obtain necessary
capacity, including Specialized
medical care due to transportation
Transportation services for older
problems.
adults and people with disabilities. I
Adults who lack transportation
am planning on it, as I want to build
are disproportionately elderly and
a system for when I may need to give
disabled with multiple chronic
up the car keys. •
conditions. This inaccessibility to
Yuliya Gaydayenko, LMSW, is senior director of
affordable travel options leaves
Older Adult Services, Jewish Family Service.
seniors facing isolation and a

To learn more about the Regional Transit Authority or participate in a community meeting,
visit rtamichigan.org or semcog.org for more information.
If you are interested in learning more about Specialized Transportation services in our
community or to request a ride, contact Jewish Family Service at (248) 592-2313.

Congratulations on all of your
wonderful achievements at
Seaholm, your volunteering
and being an Eagle Scout,
National Honor Society and
IT award, but most
importantly being such a
perfect caring person.
Good Luck at University
of Michigan College of
Engineering!

Love,
Papa, Gigi , Alex
and the rest
of the Kreindler Clan

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May 31 • 2018

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