Lyft and CareLinx Partner to Transform Accessibility of Transportation for the Elderly With CareRides

More and more seniors and patients seek to remain in their homes rather than move into assisted living facilities. For many of them, transportation can be challenging because of a lack of reliable, cost-effective options and because they require physical assistance to get from their home into a vehicle. In fact, a recent Community Transportation Association of America paper suggests nearly 3.6 million Americans miss or delay medical care because they lack appropriate transportation to their appointments. As a result, many health systems have identified door-through-door services, such as Lyft, as an important need for elderly patients who have difficulty getting to appointments.

"At Lyft, we are committed to improving how elderly and people with disabilities experience life by providing convenient, on-demand transportation to those who need it most," said Gyre Renwick, head of enterprise healthcare partnerships, Lyft. "We are excited to work with CareLinx to reduce isolation and empower people to age with greater freedom and mobility."

The CareLinx app allows family members to communicate with their loved ones' caregivers to set Care Plans, including social outings and medical appointments. In any metro area where both CareLinx and Lyft are available, family members and authorized caregivers can order a CareRide by CareLinx in partnership with Lyft on behalf of their loved ones directly through the CareLinx app even if they do not live nearby. With real-time notifications, family members can also track the status of a ride as it happens for peace of mind. Now, family members can feel assured their loved ones are safely accompanied by one of more than 160,000 trusted caregiver companions in CareLinx's network when they are going to medical, social events and other appointments.

"Transportation is critical for all individuals, especially those who have mobility challenges, to stay in their homes as they age without being stuck at home because of a lack of options that meet their physical needs or budget," said Sherwin Sheik, founder of CareLinx. "Our partnership with Lyft makes it easier for family members to organize transportation while supporting individuals with the caregiving they need to remain independent and still affordably get to where they need to go."

Through LyftOne, Lyft's charitable program, which partners with organizations to give back to the community, CareLinx will donate one percent of the proceeds of CareRides scheduled through the platform to the Alzheimer's Association through December 9, 2017. The Alzheimer's Association is the leading voluntary health organization in Alzheimer's care, support and research.

About CareLinx 

CareLinx is the leading online nationwide caregiver marketplace improving access to affordable, quality home care for families with aging or disabled loved ones. CareLinx empowers families to easily find and hire caregivers who match their specific needs and budget. Through its online platform, CareLinx allows families to pay significantly less compared to traditional agencies by reducing overhead costs. And for caregivers that pass CareLinx's comprehensive screening process, they are able to retain higher take-home pay. Our team is committed to helping families through one of their most stressful times in life, by assisting them in finding the best caregiver for their needs. The San Bruno, CA-based company currently works with families in the top 50 metropolitan areas across the United States and can be found online at www.carelinx.com and @CareLinx. More information can be found at www.carelinx.com/carerides.

About Lyft

Lyft was founded in June 2012 by Logan Green and John Zimmer to reconnect people and communities through better transportation. Lyft is the fastest growing rideshare company in the U.S. and is available in more than 200 cities. Lyft is preferred by drivers and passengers for its safe and friendly experience, and its commitment to affecting positive change for the future of our cities.