I live on the Florida coast in Brevard County. I am one of the seniors in Florida, the 9th largest population of people over the age of 65 people. There are over 150,000 baby boomers and many are still working, some retired, some willingly volunteer. Many treatments are within their families. Brevard’s fastest growing senior group is 85 years and older. We are the pious citizens and senior citizens company. There are several retired military personnel and families here, as well as a military service at the Patrick Air Force Base that resides in Brevard County . I used to serve on the Land-of-Sky Council in North Carolina and served as a consultant in charge of care. 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 transportation.
Brevard has a lot of transportation services in place
The public bus system, Area Coast Transport (SCAT) provided rides to more than 211,000 seniors last year. SCAT had cast certain routes and special accommodation. SCAT operates “Volunteers on the Move” which serves those who cannot use the SCAT bus system or their own routes and who are 60 years of age or older. Volunteers operate this service van. SCAT also organizes paratransitServices which provide wheelchair accommodations on a normal restraining basis by reservation if eligible; Here is the website for the paratransit Bus/Trolley Transit Order Form. Fares are small; if you think you are eligible to see if this would be of service to you. If you are a Medicaid recipient who needs non-emergency travel to necessary medical appointments, your best bet may be Transportation Management Services. You must request this three days in advance.
A senior TranServe volunteered for 200 trips in 2011. These volunteers provide this kind of time, fuel efficient vehicles! If you are over sixty and ambulatory, with no other means of transportation necessary to your destination, visit these folks for further information.
The American Cancer Society Brevard offers a Road to Recovery program, which connects volunteer drivers with patients who are ambulatory and need to go to a treatment center. Exceptions are made 48 hours in advance. Rides are free of charge although donations to the society are appreciated. They can also provide financial support when treatment is outside the county. They can be reached at 321-254-4190.
For a list of possible MIMA medical membership transfer methods, please refer to the MIMA transfer page.
Brevard has many large printed signs indicating crosswalks, which also have a specially striped pavement for safer crossing. Brevard updates old traffic signs with even bigger prints. I don’t need glasses for distance, but I like some big printed, nicely placed, sign. Most roads have sidewalks with wheelchair ramps. Florida is senior friendly!
