Tag Archives: transportation

Driving and older adults: Is there a right time to stop?

Photo: Tim Lenz via Flickr

A recent way-too-long visit to the department of motor vehicles was good for two things: upgrading my about-to-expire license to Real ID and people watching.

I live in New York City, where the diversity provides a fascinating mosaic of current and would-be drivers of varying ages, races, cultures and backgrounds. I also saw at the DMV some folks who perhaps should think twice about maintaining their ability to get behind the wheel of a car. Continue reading

Communities grapple with the needs of aging suburbanites

Photo: Rachel via Flickr

Mom, dad, 2.4 kids, and a dog. The very picture of suburbia has changed vastly since families migrated from cities in the 1950s and ’60s. Those kids are now aging baby boomers, often caring for elderly parents. If they remained in the suburbs, they now are facing a host of challenges they probably didn’t anticipate.

Meeting the needs of aging suburbanites is a growing problem that few community planners considered during the post-World War II building boom. Continue reading

Community-based program trains seniors to aid seniors

Photo: Barbara Wells via Flickr

Photo: Barbara Wells via Flickr

An innovative program in Orange County, N.C., taps into older adults’ leadership skills — and trains them to give back to the community. Project EngAGE helps people age 55 years and older build relationships with community leaders and organization so they can advocate for other older adults who may need social services, housing or other assistance.

Jan DuMont, 71, a retired nurse who moved to the area from Washington, D.C.,  enrolled in the 13-week program, which covers a range of health and aging services specific to the older population. As this News-Observer article explains, they serve as senior resource leaders who address important concerns among other older adults in the community. “We help to address gaps in the system,” she said in a phone interview. Continue reading

Check out this primer on issues affecting health in rural areas

Transportation and other social determinants of health are covered in the Rural Assistance Center’s recently updated guide on the topic. Seen here is an older form of rural transportation from Fort Worth, Texas, where AHCJ recently held a workshop on rural health issues.

Photo: Susan HeaveyTransportation and other social determinants of health are covered in the Rural Assistance Center’s recently updated guide on the topic. Seen here is an older form of rural transportation from Fort Worth, Texas, where AHCJ recently held a workshop on rural health issues.

When I flew to Forth Worth, Texas, recently for AHCJ’s Rural Health Workshop, I should have read this first.

The Rural Assistance Center, a collaborative and federally-funded information portal on rural health and related services, offers a topic guide on the social determinants of health, specifically looking at social factors such as affordable transportation, access to food and the environment and their impact on people’s health.

The recently updated guide, “Social Determinants of Health for Rural People,” is a great primer for anyone starting to delve into how certain aspects of life for those living in less populated areas affect their well-being. Continue reading

Transportation options for Health Journalism 2015 attendees #ahcj15

Hyatt Regency Santa Clara

Visitors seeking San Jose airport shuttle service or transportation to Hyatt Regency Santa Clara for Health Journalism 2015 have a variety of options, including taxi service and airport shuttle transportation.

Here are some ways to get to or from Mineta San Jose International Airport (SJC). Contact the Hyatt Regency Santa Clara concierge desk for additional advice at 408-200-1234. The Hyatt Regency Santa Clara does not provide complimentary airport shuttle service.

Getting around Silicon Valley: AHCJ member Stephen Beale has researched and written a comprehensive guide to getting around the Bay Area, even if you don’t have access to a car. Read his advice.