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原文传递 Transportation Disadvantaged Seniors: Efforts to Enhance Senior Mobility Could Benefit from Additional Guidance and Information.

题名：	Transportation Disadvantaged Seniors: Efforts to Enhance Senior Mobility Could Benefit from Additional Guidance and Information.
关键词：	DISADVANTAGED GROUPS; FEDERAL ASSISTANCE; INTERAGENCY COORDINATION; TRANSPORTATION SERVICES
摘要：	The U.S. population is aging, and access to transportation, via automobile or other modes, is critical to helping individuals remain independent as they age. Various federal programs provide funding for transportation services for transportation-disadvantaged seniorsthose who cannot drive or have limited their driving and who have an income constraint, disability, or medical condition that limits their ability to travel. For those transportation-disadvantaged seniors, GAO was asked to identify (1) federal programs that address their mobility issues, (2) the extent to which these programs meet their mobility needs, (3) program practices that enhance their mobility and the cost-effectiveness of service delivery, and (4) obstacles to addressing their mobility needs and strategies for overcoming those obstacles. Five federal departments--including the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS)--administer 15 programs that are key to addressing the mobility issues of transportation-disadvantaged seniors. These programs help make transportation available, affordable, and accessible to seniors, such as by providing transit passes or reimbursement for mileage. National data indicate that some types of needs are not being met, including those for trips (1) to multiple destinations or for purposes that involve carrying packages; (2) to life-enhancing activities, such as cultural events; and (3) in rural and suburban areas. However, there are limited data available to assess the extent of unmet needs. HHS's Administration on Aging is required by law to provide guidance to states on how to assess seniors' need for services, but officials said the administration has not done so because it has focused on providing other types of guidance. As a result, the local agencies on aging we interviewed--which are ultimately responsible for performing such needs assessments--used inconsistent methods to assess seniors' mobility needs. The Administration on Aging plans to conduct an evaluation of one of its major programs and thus has an opportunity to improve its understanding of seniors' needs and provide guidance to local agencies on performing needs assessments. Local transportation service providers have implemented a variety of practices--including increasing service efficiency, improving customer service, and leveraging available funds--that enhance mobility and the cost-effective delivery of services. Federal programs provide funding and some technical assistance for these practices, but several service providers we interviewed said that the implementation of such practices was impeded by limited federal guidance and information on successful practices. Senior mobility experts and stakeholders identified several obstacles to addressing transportation-disadvantaged seniors' mobility needs, potential strategies that federal and other government entities can consider taking to better meet these needs, and trade-offs associated with those strategies.
报告类型：	科技报告