Many assisted living communities transport residents to medical appointments, errands, and social and recreational outings. A few communities also provide transportation to assist residents as they relocate and move into the community. Vehicles range from sedans to passenger vans to those that can accommodate wheelchairs and other mobility devices. While some assisted living communities include the cost of transportation in the monthly fee, others charge a la carte or partner with ridesharing services. Other important factors to consider include a community’s transportation schedule and service area.
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Yes, more than half of A Place for Mom’s assisted living partner communities provide complimentary transportation, and about 75 % offer transportation at cost.[01] In some states, there are laws requiring that communities offer this service, including Florida, Hawaii, Indiana, Louisiana, Montana, North Carolina, Oregon, Pennsylvania, and Wyoming.[02]
According to A Place for Mom’s proprietary data, a comparable percentage of both larger and smaller assisted living communities provide transportation to medical appointments. Larger communities are more likely than smaller ones to provide transportation to non-medical destinations and activities.[01] A few communities also offer transportation and move-in help to residents who are relocating.
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The most common types of transportation in assisted living are:
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When you’re evaluating assisted living facilities, transportation-specific factors to consider include:
Generally, assisted living communities charge residents using one of two pricing models: a la carte or all-inclusive.
To avoid surprise charges in your loved one’s monthly bill, ask about the community’s pricing model. For instance, if a community charges by the trip, ask about the trip or per-mile cost. Or, if a community uses the all-inclusive model, ask about the service area and any exceptions.
About 30% of people 65 years and older use some type of mobility device, such as a cane, walker, or wheelchair when they’re away from home.[03] While it’s likely that an assisted living community that provides transportation has vehicles that can accommodate wheelchairs and other devices, it’s an important question to ask when you’re touring.
If the community doesn’t have its own vehicles, it may contract with a rideshare service. If this is the case, be sure to ask about whether the service’s vehicles are accessible.
Finally, because people who use mobility devices sometimes also need help transferring from one seat to another, ask whether the community’s transportation service includes assistance.
Typically, assisted living communities that offer transportation have regular schedules for taking residents where they need to go. When you tour, ask:
Assisted living communities that are in urban or suburban areas are likely to cover a service area large enough to meet most residents’ needs. Those in rural areas may need to travel greater distances, which can affect how they charge for transportation. When touring a community, ask for a map of their standard service area, as well as whether and how much they charge extra for trips to destinations outside the area.
To find a community with the services to fit your loved one’s needs, consider getting help from an expert.
A Place for Mom’s Senior Living Advisors offer knowledge and expertise about local options for seniors. This includes information about services, amenities, and prices. Plus, they can help arrange tours and evaluate your options — all at no cost to you.
Yes, communities are typically open to feedback, input, and changes suggested by residents and their families. For urgent feedback, consider contacting the community’s management directly. To provide more general input, watch for surveys or community meetings.
Yes, many assisted living communities will provide or arrange for transportation outside of their regularly scheduled hours. However, they may charge extra for these trips, may use a ride sharing service instead of their own driver and vehicle, or may bill residents directly for these trips.
A Place for Mom. (2025). A Place for Mom proprietary data.
National Center for Assisted Living. (2022). Assisted living state regulatory review.
Sehgal M, Jacobs J, Biggs WS. (2021, June 15). Mobility assistive device use in older adults. American Family Physician.
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