“Aging is not lost youth but a new stage of opportunity and strength.” —Betty Friedan, American feminist writer and activist
With the increasing demand for safe, reliable, and affordable transportation for the aging population, organizations like Programs of All-Inclusive Care for the Elderly (PACE) are paramount to addressing these needs. As we venture into the new year, it is essential to acknowledge the importance of supporting the rapid growth of the aging population and explore all options available to ensure a healthy and plentiful life.
In this post, we explore how technology enhances transportation services for seniors in PACE and why it is crucial to invest in scalable solutions today.
The Growing Demands for Senior Programs
The U.S. is projected to have about 82 million seniors (65 years and older) by 2050, compared to 59.2 million in 2024. This drastic demographic shift further emphasizes the need for comprehensive transportation solutions that better cater to seniors’ unique needs.
Approximately 20% of older adults report relying on public transportation to attend regular doctors’ appointments, and a 2017 poll by the National Ageing and Disability Transportation Center found that 40% of older adults felt access to public transportation impeded use due to inaccessibility. Access to reliable, safe, and comfortable transportation is one of many challenges that PACE organizations solve, servicing an average of 16 monthly trips per PACE participant.
The numbers don’t lie, nor do the PACE participants themselves; take Steven’s experience, for example. Steven is a participant at the LIFE Center at St. Joseph of the Pines in Fayetteville. According to an interview with NC Medicaid Division of Health Benefits, PACE staff helped Steven become more active, manage his medications, and stay on top of doctor’s appointments. This level of coordination is crucial for maintaining health and independence, and demonstrates how efficient scheduling software can support seniors’ overall well-being by ensuring timely appointments and follow-ups.
PACE Scheduling Software: Keeping Participants in Mind
PACE programs are addressing the growing demands by leveraging advanced NEMT scheduling software. With participants in mind, this technology helps to streamline operations by:
- Optimized Routes: Reducing travel times, improving workflows, and improving trip efficiency with route optimization.
- Enhanced Scheduling: Ensuring timely pickups and drop-offs is crucial for medical appointments and other essential services.
- Improving Communication: Automating notifications informs participants and their caregivers about trip schedules and changes.
PACE Scheduling Software: Future Growth
Operating a PACE center means thinking about the present and preparing for future growth and development. One of the key features of effective PACE scheduling software is the ability to scale in tandem with the organization’s growth.
PACE centers should consider a solution that can handle more trips, vehicles, and subcontracted providers if needed without compromising performance and service quality.
At Momentm, our PACE software solution caters to scalability for PACE centers in the following ways:
- Flexible Fleet Management: NovusMED supports small-scale PACE operations and more extensive networks of subcontracted providers, providing flexibility to scale their transportation services as their participant base grows.
- Data-Driven Operations: Efficiently manage and analyze trip data, billing, and accountability, providing centers with organized and accessible means of facilitating smooth scaling of operations.
- Automated Scheduling: Automates scheduling processes, reducing administrative burden on staff as the number of participants increases.
Momentm is Setting a New Horizon for PACE
As the aging population grows, PACE programs must adapt to increasing transportation demands. Advanced NEMT scheduling software helps streamline operations and prepare for future growth without compromising service quality.
At Momentm Technologies, our software supports this growth with flexible fleet management and automated scheduling. Schedule a demo today to discover how our solutions can enhance your transportation services and improve participant satisfaction.
