Go Go Grandparent: Ride Sharing for Senior Citizens

Instead of downloading an app, they simply call the 1-800 number. Then using their touch-tone phone, pressing the number 1 for pick up or 2 for drop off, operators organize and get the qualified Uber or Lyft driver for them.

Drivers are carefully screened, making sure they’re wheelchair and walker accessible. “We do a lot now to make sure that these trips are tailored for older adults,” said Justin Boggard, Creator and CEO of the company.

And it’s just one company that’s making headway in the industry. Some medical facilities and health insurers have started trying to pick up the burden themselves. According to AARP, older patients miss subspecialty doctor appointments as much as 30 percent of the time, which can lead to costly emergency-room visits and ambulance rides.