I live on the Space Coast of Florida in Brevard County. I am one of the seniors in Florida’s 9th largest population of over age 65 individuals. There are over 150,000 baby boomers and many still work, some are retired, and some graciously volunteer. Many are caregivers within their own families. Brevard’s fastest growing senior group is that of 85 year olds and greater. We are a patriotic and senior citizen county. There are many retired military personnel and families here, as well as active-duty military at Patrick Air Force Base which is housed in Brevard County. I used to serve on the Land-of-Sky Council for the aging in North Carolina and I served on a caregiver advisory committee. In Brevard County, this is handled by the Brevard Commission on Aging. As I look around here in Brevard, I see great transportation support services for seniors and medical transport.
Brevard has a lot of transportation services in place
The public bus system, Space Coast Area Transport (SCAT) provided rides for over 211,000 seniors last year. SCAT has fixed routes and special accommodation routing. SCAT operates “Volunteers in Motion” which serves those that cannot use the SCAT bus system or routes on their own and who are 60 years of age or more. Volunteers operate this van service. SCAT also coordinates the Paratransit Services which provides wheelchair accommodations on a normal curb-to-curb basis by reservation if you qualify; here is the website for the trip-by-trip Paratransit Bus/Trolley Pass Order Form. The fares are minimal; you should check to see if you are eligible if you think this would be a service for you. If you are a Medicaid recipient who needs non-emergency trip service to medical appointments, the Transportation Management Services may be your best bet. You must request this three days in advance.
Senior TranServe volunteers made over 200 trips in 2011. These kind volunteers provide time, fuel and their own vehicles! If you are over sixty and ambulatory with no other means of transport to needed destinations, contact these folks for further information.
The American Cancer Society of Brevard offers the Road to Recovery program that connects volunteer drivers with patients who are ambulatory and need to go to a treatment center. Reservations are made 48 hours in advance. Rides are without charge although donations to the society are appreciated. They can also provide financial assistance when treatment is out of county. They can be reached at 321-254-4190.
For the MIMA medical group’s list of possible transportation methods, please refer to the MIMA transportation page.
Brevard has many large print signs indicating intersection walkways which also have specially striped pavement for the safest crossing. Brevard updates old traffic signs with larger print too. I don’t need glasses for distance, but I love any large print, nicely placed, sign. Most roads have sidewalks with wheelchair ramps. Florida is senior friendly!
