When a parent stops driving, the hardest part is rarely the car itself. It is everything the car made possible: the weekly grocery run, the pharmacy pickup, church on Sunday, lunch with a friend. Errand services for seniors in Indianapolis, combined with public transit options like IndyGo Access, can fill that gap so your parent stays connected and independent instead of stuck at home waiting for a ride.
Key takeaways
- Giving up the keys is a loss of independence, so plan the replacement before the conversation, not after.
- In Marion County, IndyGo Access and CICOA’s Way2Go program offer rides for people who qualify, each with its own rules and scheduling.
- A paid errand runner or companion covers what transit cannot: carrying groceries, waiting at appointments, and handling tasks your parent cannot do alone.
- Most families end up with a mix: transit for some trips, family for others, and an in-home caregiver for the rest.
Signs it may be time to stop driving
Few people decide to stop driving on a specific day. More often, families notice a pattern. The Health in Aging Foundation tip sheet on when to stop driving lists warning signs that are worth watching for:
- Getting lost on short, familiar routes, such as the drive to a favorite store on 86th Street or the way home from church
- Missing stop signs or signals, drifting between lanes, or taking very wide turns
- Reacting slowly in traffic or seeming drowsy or distracted behind the wheel
- Forgetting to check mirrors or blind spots, or misjudging distances
- Becoming easily irritated or anxious while driving
New dents and scrapes on the car, a warning from a neighbor, or a parent who suddenly avoids highways like I-465 can all be quiet signals. If you are worried, ride along and watch, then talk to your parent’s doctor. A physician can review medications and vision, and can refer to a driving evaluation by a driving rehabilitation specialist or an occupational therapist. That outside opinion often lands better than a son or daughter’s.
Why losing the car hits so hard
For many older adults in central Indiana, driving is not optional. Neighborhoods in Pike Township, Lawrence, Carmel, Fishers, Avon and Greenwood were built around the car. Grocery stores, clinics and pharmacies can be miles apart, and sidewalks and bus stops are not always close by. When the keys go, a parent can lose access to food, medicine and the social contact that keeps them well.
It also feels personal. Driving is tied to adulthood, competence and freedom. Expect sadness, anger or denial, even from a parent who knows deep down that it is time. Health in Aging suggests staying calm and specific, listening to your parent’s own view of their driving, and stepping away if the conversation turns heated, then trying again a day or two later. It also helps enormously if you can show a real plan for how life will keep working without the car.
Transportation options in Indianapolis
Before you have the conversation, learn what is available where your parent lives. Options differ a lot between Marion County and the surrounding counties.
IndyGo Access paratransit
IndyGo Access is the city’s shared-ride paratransit service for people who meet federal ADA criteria. A few points families often miss:
- Age alone, or simply no longer driving, does not make someone eligible. Eligibility is based on whether a disability or health condition prevents a person from using regular IndyGo buses.
- Applying involves forms verified by a qualified professional (such as a physician or registered nurse) and an in-person interview. IndyGo says it decides eligibility within 21 days of that interview. You can request an application packet by calling 317-635-3344.
- IndyGo Access operates throughout Marion County, seven days a week. Rides are booked in advance and shared with other riders, so trips can take longer than driving.
- Fares depend on where the trip is. As of IndyGo’s July 1, 2026 fare schedule, trips within three quarters of a mile of a fixed route cost $5.50, and trips in the rest of Marion County cost more. Check IndyGo’s site for current fares before you plan.
CICOA Way2Go
CICOA Aging and In-Home Solutions, the area agency on aging for central Indiana, runs a transportation program called Way2Go for older adults and people with disabilities. CICOA describes Way2Go as door-to-door rides in Marion County on weekdays, for things like medical appointments, pharmacy trips and grocery shopping, for riders who sign up in advance and meet eligibility requirements. Call CICOA at 317-254-5465 to ask about eligibility and current details.
Outside Marion County
If your parent lives in Hamilton, Hendricks, Johnson, Boone or another surrounding county, transit options are different and often more limited. Ask the county’s senior services office or the area agency on aging what is available, and how far ahead rides must be booked.
What errand services for seniors in Indianapolis cover
Public transit gets a person from point A to point B. It does not carry the groceries in, wait while the prescription is filled, or notice that the milk in the fridge has gone sour. That is where errand services for seniors in Indianapolis come in.
Depending on your parent’s needs, an errand runner or caregiver can help with:
- Grocery shopping: with your parent, or for them from a list, then putting food away and checking dates.
- Pharmacy runs: picking up prescriptions and over-the-counter supplies on schedule.
- Appointments: accompanying your parent to the doctor, dentist or salon, and helping them remember what was said.
- Everyday tasks: post office, bank, dry cleaning, returns, library books, and small household purchases.
- Social outings: visits to friends, a senior center, a place of worship or a favorite restaurant.
The difference between this and a ride service is attention. A caregiver who knows your parent will notice when they seem more tired than usual, are skipping meals, or are confused about medications, and can let the family know.
Building a weekly plan that actually works
The families who handle this transition best treat it like a schedule, not a series of favors. Start by listing every trip your parent made in a typical week while still driving. Then assign each one:
- Recurring essentials: groceries, pharmacy, standing medical appointments. These are good candidates for a regular errand or companion visit on the same day each week.
- Social and faith commitments: a family member, friend, church volunteer or companion caregiver can cover these. Do not let them drop off the list; isolation is a real risk once driving stops.
- Medical trips that qualify for paratransit: if your parent is eligible for IndyGo Access or Way2Go, use it for trips where a shared ride and some waiting are acceptable.
- Last-minute needs: decide in advance who your parent calls when something unexpected comes up.
Write the plan down and put it where your parent can see it, such as on the refrigerator. Knowing that Tuesday is grocery day and Thursday is the hair appointment gives back a sense of control.
When errands are a sign of bigger needs
Sometimes the end of driving reveals other changes. A parent who is no longer safe behind the wheel may also be struggling with cooking, bathing or keeping track of medications. If you notice this, an errand plan can grow into regular in-home support such as companion care or personal care assistance. Our guide to the signs your loved one may need home care support can help you sort out what you are seeing.
Frequently asked questions
Can someone else drive my parent’s car for errands?
Some families keep the car so a relative or caregiver can drive it. If you go this route, check with your parent’s auto insurer about who is covered. Many families find it simpler to sell the car and put the savings toward rides and help.
Does my parent qualify for IndyGo Access just because they are older?
No. IndyGo states that age and not driving do not, by themselves, make someone eligible. Eligibility depends on whether a disability or health condition prevents using regular buses, which is assessed through an application and interview.
How often should an errand runner visit?
Many families start with one or two visits a week built around groceries and the pharmacy, then adjust. If your parent lives alone, more frequent visits also give you regular check-ins.
Can a caregiver stay with my parent during a doctor’s appointment?
Yes, accompanying a client to appointments is a common part of errand and companion support. Talk with the agency about what you want the caregiver to do during the visit, such as taking notes for the family.
How much do errand services cost?
Cost depends on how many hours and visits your parent needs. Call us to talk through your options, and we will help you match the schedule to the budget.
Aken Home Health and Home Care serves Indianapolis and surrounding counties. Call our office at 317-734-3934 (Mon to Fri, 8am to 5pm) or our 24/7 line at 574-320-4705, or request a free consultation.
