Beta Beta — hiring neighbors on Papalocal is new; what you see here is real, and it's still growing.
Rides to appointments Beta
Regular rides for someone who doesn't drive: weekly trips to the doctor, therapy, the hairdresser or church, with help in and out of the car.
- How often
- Weekly
- Where the work happens
- Looking after people or pets
- Who it suits
- Best done by an adult
- Before you start
- Check local rules
Not yet Papalocal doesn't connect riders with paid drivers yet: Georgia regulates paid rides arranged through an app, so this waits on a legal review. Licensed local companies are listed below.
This is a standing ride, often weekly, for someone who no longer drives or can't drive for a while: an older neighbor, someone healing after surgery, or a person who has had to stop driving. The driver takes them, helps them in and out, and brings them home.
Families set it up when they live too far away to drive a parent to therapy every Tuesday, when a parent has given up the car keys, or when regular appointments go on for months.
A driver from the same town knows where the clinics are, where to park and how long things tend to take, and becomes someone the rider recognizes and trusts.
Also called: rides for seniors, ride to doctor appointments, medical appointment transportation, ride to dialysis, ride to physical therapy, weekly appointment rides.
What's usually included
- Door-to-door pickup and return on a regular schedule
- Help getting in and out of the car, with a walker or cane if used
- Walking the rider to the front desk and back to the car
- Waiting during the appointment, or returning at a set time
- A quick stop on the way home, such as a pharmacy or grocery pickup, if agreed
What to ask before you hire
- Which days, times and addresses, and how long do the appointments usually last?
- How much help does the rider need: an arm to lean on, a walker in the trunk, a move from a wheelchair to the seat?
- Will the driver wait or come back, and is waiting time part of the price?
- Who is the family contact, and should the driver send a message after each ride?
- Should the driver come into the appointment or stay in the waiting room? The rider decides.
Staying safe
- Riders and families: meet the driver first, check references, and share the ride schedule with someone you trust
- Drivers: don't lift or move a person beyond what you've been shown and can do safely, and say no to anything that needs medical training
- The rider and their family make every decision about the rider's health care; the driver's part is getting them there and back
- Carry the rider's emergency contacts on every trip
Local rules
Some cities, counties and states have rules for driving older or disabled adults for pay — for example a for-hire license, a non-emergency medical transport permit or an insurance requirement. Check your local rules before you hire a regular driver or offer appointment rides.
Rides to appointments by town
Questions people ask
How is this different from a one-time ride?
It's a regular schedule for someone who depends on it. Having the same driver every week means the rider always knows who is coming.
Can the driver come into the appointment?
Some riders like company in the waiting room and others prefer privacy. Ask the rider, and follow their wishes.
What if the rider uses a wheelchair?
Ask whether the driver's car can carry the chair and whether the rider can move into a car seat. Someone who has to stay in their wheelchair needs an accessible van.
Can I arrange rides for my parent from another state?
Yes. You can set up the schedule with the driver and ask for a text after each ride, as long as your parent meets the driver and agrees to it.
