National Aging and Disability Transportation Center (NADTC) survey of TrustedRide-Certified

Transportation can be a significant hurdle for many, especially older individuals and adults with disabilities, when it comes to accessing non-emergency medical appointments and other essential services. The "available" isn't always "accessible" reality means millions miss crucial healthcare appointments each year. This not only impacts individual health outcomes but also burdens the healthcare system with increased hospitalizations and emergency room visits.

Enter TrustedRide-Certified (TRC), TrustedRiders, an innovative program designed to bridge this critical gap in transportation services.

The Challenge: More Than Just a Ride

While rideshare services like Uber and Lyft are widely available (93% of older adults live in areas serviced by them), accessing these services can still be difficult. Barriers include a lack of available friends or family to assist, and the need for drivers to leave their vehicles to provide door-to-door assistance. This is particularly problematic for patients requiring anesthesia for day procedures, who often need a "responsible adult" for discharge. In fact, 40% of older adults and 38% of younger adults with disabilities report that access and availability are the biggest barriers to finding transportation alternatives. Additionally, 35% of older adults and 32% of younger adults with disabilities state that transportation services are difficult to access.

The TRC Chaperone Solution

TRC's unique Chaperone program addresses these challenges head-on. TRC screens, trains, certifies, outfits, and assists in the management of TRC Chaperones as "responsible adults" and short-term companions. They ensure safe travel for patients, particularly older individuals and adults with disabilities. TRC Chaperones assist with technology to arrange for a ride and eliminate the need for a driver to leave their vehicle to assist a passenger, making rideshare and other public and private transport accessible to a more diverse population. They can also be the "responsible adult" facilitating discharge from day procedures requiring anesthesia, reducing cancellations and streamlining scheduling and discharge planning.

Key Benefits of the TRC Chaperone Program:

• Enhanced Accessibility: TRC Chaperones make transportation truly accessible for vulnerable populations, including older adults and individuals with disabilities.

• Reduced Missed Appointments: By solving transportation problems, TRC helps reduce appointment cancellations and hospital readmissions, leading to better health outcomes and significant savings.

• Support for Healthcare Systems: TRC Chaperones can facilitate discharge from procedures requiring anesthesia, freeing up case managers and streamlining scheduling.

• Maximizing Volunteer Services: The program also maximizes the volume and efficiency of volunteer driver services while enhancing customer service.

• Proven Effectiveness: TRC has been operational under ACL/AOA (HHS) Community Care Corps grants, partnering with organizations like the Agency on Aging of South Central Connecticut and Ascension St. Agnes Hospital. During the pandemic, TRC Virtual Chaperones proved their value with enhanced services including vaccine appointment scheduling, reminder calls, transport and follow up calls.

  
  

TRC's Comprehensive Approach:

TRC ensures the suitability and effectiveness of its Chaperones through a multi-faceted approach:

• Assessing Community Needs: TRC works with partner healthcare and community service providers to identify community needs, particularly among patients who may need a helping hand going to and from medical appointments and procedures.

• Suitability and Background Checks: TRC facilitates background and criminal history checks by a nationally-recognized partner as part of the onboarding process for TRC Chaperones, comporting with standards applicable to Federal national service volunteers.

• Comprehensive Training: TRC's online training modules and certification, developed in consultation with doctors and aging service professionals, are easily accessible to prospective TRC Chaperones. This training sensitizes Chaperones to the needs of older individuals with compromised mobility and adults with disabilities.

• Outfitting Chaperones: TRC provides uniforms to each TRC Chaperone with the insignia of the local program sponsor and TRC, allowing patients and providers to easily identify them. The uniform is designed for scannable identification badges for security purposes.

• Efficient Scheduling: TRC provides TrustedRide Scheduler software tailored to local agency needs, which allows TRC Chaperones to schedule their own trips online, enables local TRC staff to send emails through the system, tracks local data, and creates reports and graphics. This automation frees up local staff time for high-touch activities.

• Ongoing Support and Communication: TRC provides logistical support with regularly scheduled video calls with experienced TRC Coordinators, facilitates the sharing of successful techniques and solutions, and assists local programs with communicating to clients, Chaperones, and the community through various media.

  
  

The Impact:

As Carlos, a patient of Ascension St. Agnes Hospital, shared, "Javan Mangum and Mr. Thomas was so kind, courteous, and patient, getting me back and forth to therapy each week... I received an extra push and told myself I can make it". This sentiment is echoed by healthcare professionals like Olivia Farrow, Community Development & Engagement Director at Saint Agnes Health Institute, who states that TrustedRide-Certified has been "a lifeline for patients at Ascension St. Agnes Hospital Clinics, leading to fewer missed appointments and better health outcomes for our patients". Beverly Kidder, Vice President of the Agency on Aging of South Central Connecticut, also highlights the value of their "Vaccine Buddies program," connecting seniors with volunteers to schedule vaccine appointments and ensure transportation.

The cost of an NEMT trip is minimal (around $10-$20), and for every $1 spent on NEMT, a state could save up to $11. This program is not just about transportation; it's about improving lives and optimizing healthcare delivery. Missed doctor's appointments cost the United States healthcare system $150 billion in one year.

Learn More!

For a complete understanding of the program, you can read the full white paper from the National Aging and Disability Transportation Center (NADTC) survey on barriers to using transportation options, which informed some of the statistics in this white paper, can be found on their website.