Growing Demand for Wheelchair and Stretcher transportation

Roanoke County is experiencing a significant demographic shift with a growing senior population. This trend is leading to an increased demand for specialized wheelchair and stretcher transportation to accommodate seniors, those with mobility issues, hospitals, emergency rooms, and skilled nursing communities.  

The Growing Senior Population in Roanoke County, VA

According to CORTRAN, individuals aged 65 and over constitute approximately 21.8% of Roanoke County's population, surpassing the national average of 16.84%.  This demographic shift is expected to continue, with projections reaching in excess of 25% by 2050.

The increasing number of seniors correlates with a heightened need for specialized transportation services. In Roanoke County, programs like CORTRAN offer demand-responsive, destination-to-destination transportation services utilizing wheelchair-lift vans during the hours of 7:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m., Monday through Friday, but they fail to meet discharge transportation needs of area hospitals, emergency rooms, many skilled care and traditional nursing facilities.  Further, these community-based programs are a curb-to-curb service and do not meet the door-through-door service that is required for many seniors and those with disabilities.  This is where Zip Transportation proves crucial for seniors requiring direct personal assistance.  

Hospitals, emergency rooms, and medical centers face significant operational and financial challenges when they lack adequate wheelchair and stretcher transportation for discharged patients. Without reliable non-emergency medical transportation (NEMT), patients who are medically cleared for discharge may be forced to stay overnight simply because they have no safe way to leave the facility. This not only leads to unnecessary bed occupancy, straining hospital capacity and reducing available space for incoming patients in need of urgent care, but it also creates financial losses, as hospitals typically cannot bill insurance or patients for
extended stays that are not medically necessary.

Additionally, prolonged stays increase the risk of hospital-acquired infections and patient dissatisfaction, further impacting the facility's overall efficiency and reputation. Ensuring that transportation services are readily available is crucial for optimizing patient flow, improving financial sustainability, and maintaining high-quality care.

Especially for those seniors who do not qualify for Medicaid and low-income services and, thus, are forced to pay out-of-pocket, the cost and accessibility to reliable and timely wheelchair and stretcher transportation can be quite difficult.  This is where Zip Transportation is proving to be critical.  

Healthcare facilities in Roanoke County are experiencing an increased need for non-emergency medical transportation (NEMT) services to accommodate patients with mobility limitations. For instance, Route 75 provides transit service from downtown Roanoke to the Salem Veterans Affairs (VA) Medical Center, one of the largest VA hospitals in Virginia, highlighting the integration of specialized transportation within the healthcare infrastructure.  The availability of reliable wheelchair and stretcher transportation is essential for timely patient transfers, discharges, and routine medical visits, thereby enhancing the overall efficiency of healthcare delivery.

Specific data detailing the percentage of seniors on government assistance versus those not receiving such aid in Roanoke County is not readily available in the provided sources. However, understanding the vital need for assisted wheelchair and stretcher transportation, Zip Transportation continues to serve area facilities, support facility staff, and collaborate with area agencies to ensure effective communication and bring awareness for the growing needs for senior supporting services.