How the Twin Cities Transports its Aging Population

The challenge of providing transportation options for aging seniors—a key component of maintaining active and healthy lifestyles—is a national trend with extra statistical relevance in Minnesota, according to an article by Dave Beal, because "[the] life expectancy for Minnesotans at birth is 79.3 years, the highest for any state other than Hawaii."

The issue is so critical, according to Beal, that a White House Conference on Aging a few years ago named "availability of transportation as the No. 3 concern for seniors among 50 policy priorities, trailing only concerns about Medicare and Medicaid."

The Twin Cities metro area's sprawling growth does not help the matter, where reaching outer parts of the metropolitan area is difficult, even when during the year's milder months.

Beal goes on to detail some of the options—especially family and non-profits—for providing mobility to aging populations.