Aging-friendly transportation is topic of Dec. 4 Senior Transportation Coalition sessions

The Senior Transportation Coalition is holding two public sessions to discuss and rethink how Larimer County can create a more aging friendly transportation system to ensure seniors remain engaged and enjoy a high quality of life.

The sessions are planned for Wednesday Dec. 4, first noon to 2:30 p.m. and then 5 to 7:30 p.m., at Pathways Hospice, 305 Carpenter Road in Fort Collins.

Five organizations are partnering to host the two sessions including The Senior Transportation Coalition, The CSU Center for Public Deliberation, Larimer County Office on Aging, Columbine Health Systems and The Larimer County Mobility Council.

Complimentary light meals will be served 30 minutes prior to each session and RSVP’s are required. Limited transportation is also being provided from the Fort Collins and Loveland Senior Centers to the 12 p.m. session only. To RSVP, call The Larimer County Office on Aging at 970-498-7751.

“When talking about living independently the real question is — access,” said Gary Thomas, executive director of SAINT Volunteer Transportation and co-chair of the Senior Transportation Coalition. “There are several ways to access the goods and services we need to live. You can drive yourself, take a bus, walk, bike, live close by, someone can drive you or someone can bring them to you. Having options beyond driving yourself will be increasingly important as we get older.”

In November 2011, Colorado State Demographer Elizabeth Garner reported that based on the 2010 U.S. Census, the Colorado State Demography Office predicts the number of Larimer County residents who are 65 and older will increase 141 percent (33,584 in 2010 to 81,041 in 2030) in the next 20 years.