AARP Hearing Center
AARP Livable Communities Map
City of West Sacramento (2018) Print
2018 AARP Community Challenge Grantee
Project Category
Transportation
└ Expansion and enhancement of transportation options
└ Expansion and enhancement of transportation options
The City of West Sacramento wanted to improve older adults' ability to move independently around the community. First, the City identified barriers that kept residents from embracing new transportation services. Then they set out to make older adults aware of local rideshare and bikeshare offerings. To help older adults understand their options, the City held one-on-one trainings with individuals, as well as group training sessions. Additionally, they mailed informational fliers to residents. Data gathered during the pilot project enabled city staff to better understand how to structure programs in the future to maximize ridership among people of all ages. It also expanded many older adults' ability to run errands, meet up with friends and travel to medical appointments. Now we have options, one resident told city planners.
Photo Gallery
Image:
Click on a photo to learn more
See More Projects Like This One
Chicago, IL
AARP Community Challenge Grant Year: 2022
Project Category: Expansion and enhancement of transportation options
Description: Many older adults in suburban Chicago lacked affordable transportation, leaving them isolated and missing medical care. SafeLIGHT partnered with municipalities to provide free and discounted rides for essential trips, offering more than 2,000 rides and hosting outreach events to promote the program. Participants used the service for doctor visits, groceries and banking, restoring independence and reducing stress. "This program has been a godsend," said one social worker, noting its impact on residents with health issues.
Project description was created using generative AI and then reviewed for accuracy.
Phoenix, AZ
AARP Community Challenge Grant Year: 2022
Project Category: Expansion and enhancement of transportation options
Description: In Phoenix, many older adults lack public transportation options and must rely on cars to get around. But organizers with Elaine report that many older adults -- and especially Black and Latino/a individuals -- don't drive or own their own cars. To address this, the nonprofit offered free, on-demand rides to medical appointments, job and housing interviews and errands, such as grocery shopping. Elaine provided more than 300 rides to unhoused and low-income older adults. The organization's drivers also received training to assist their passengers with shopping, paperwork and help them tackle the community's social support systems. Organizers report the rides specifically helped two older adult client secure stable housing.
Farmington, ME
AARP Community Challenge Grant Year: 2022
Project Category: Expansion and enhancement of transportation options
Description: In rural Franklin County, older adults faced severe transportation barriers, leaving many unable to reach medical appointments or groceries. United Way expanded its Community Rides volunteer driver program, recruiting and training drivers, distributing outreach materials and coordinating free rides. Riders reported fewer missed appointments and more social engagement. One participant said the service is "convenient, helpful and safe," while a volunteer noted, "It's hard to imagine not being able to get to places where and when I need to," underscoring its impact on independence and community ties.
Project description was created using generative AI and then reviewed for accuracy.
Nearby AARP Community Challenge Projects
West Sacramento, CA
AARP Community Challenge Grant Year: 2017
Project Category: Roadway/sidewalks/crosswalk improvement
Description: Residents of a senior apartment complex complained that the intersection connecting them to a senior apartment complex to West Sacramento's City Hall, senior center, library and transit center was difficult to cross. To help residents safely reach local amenities, the City of West Sacramento installed countdown timers, pedestrian-controlled crosswalk buttons and talking signals. Since the upgrades, the City reports no older adults have been struck by cars at the intersection. And the project's success has inspired West Sacramento officials to incorporate age-friendly elements in other infrastructure projects, including future crosswalk improvements.
West Sacramento, CA
AARP Community Challenge Grant Year: 2019
Project Category: Emergency preparedness skills
Description: West Sacramento officials were disturbed by the statistics: older adults are more than twice as likely to die or be injured in a house fire. City officials commissioned a video to educate older adults about ways to improve fire safety, focusing specifically on people living in areas with higher incidences of fire-related accidents. The video featured the local fire marshal and residents, who were quizzed on their knowledge of fire safety. They discussed whether they had fire extinguishers and smoke detectors in their homes and what they thought was the leading cause of fires. The video aired on public access television and project organizers posted it online and promoted it via social media. Additionally, the City handed out 96 free smoke and carbon monoxide detectors to locals.
LEARN MORE AND STAY INFORMED
Find articles and resources about making communities more livable for people of all ages
Download or order free publications from AARP Livable Communities
Sign up for the free, weekly, award-winning AARP Livable Communities eNewsletter
Don't see your community listed?
LEARN HOW IT CAN JOIN THE NETWORKConnect with your AARP State Office
AARP has offices in all 50 states as well as in the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands.
AARP California State Office
200 S. Los Robles Avenue
Suite 400
Pasadena, CA 91101
United States