Wheelchair Transportation Need in McHenry and Lake Counties

The senior populations in McHenry and Lake Counties have experienced significant growth in recent years, leading to an increased demand for wheelchair transportation.  Both McHenry and Lake Counties have seen substantial increases in their senior populations over the past decade.

Between 2010 and 2021, the number of residents aged 65 and older in McHenry County grew by 56%. Projections indicate that this demographic will further increase by an additional 28% by 2030.  Similarly, the senior population in Lake County increased by 48% during the same period with an estimates of an additional 34% by 2030.

As the senior population expands, so does the demand for NEMT services, particularly wheelchair transportation.  Many seniors face mobility challenges due to age-related health conditions, necessitating specialized transportation to access medical appointments, social engagements, and essential services.

Although both counties provide subsidized transportation for seniors, they are typically curb-to-curb solutions with transportation service needing to be scheduled at least a week in advance.  Unfortunately, such solutions do not meet the needs of patients and residents requiring door-through-door service or those being discharged from hospitals, emergency rooms, post acute centers. 

In Lake County, the "Ride Lake County" service provides on-demand transportation specifically designed for seniors and residents with mobility limitations. This service allows for flexible travel within the county, ensuring that seniors have access to essential destinations. 

Healthcare facilities in both counties are experiencing an increased need for wheelchair services to accommodate the growing senior population.  Hospitals, emergency rooms, and medical centers face significant operational and financial challenges when they lack adequate wheelchair transportation for patients being discharged. 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.

Providers like MedRyde Transport offer non-emergency medical transportation throughout McHenry and Lake Counties, serving seniors, hospitals, dialysis centers, and nursing facilities. Their services include ambulatory and wheelchair transportation to address the diverse needs of area seniors and those with mobility issues.

Compounding the growing need for assisted and wheelchair transportation is a significant portion of seniors do not qualify for Medicaid benefits, often due to income or asset thresholds. In Lake County, only 11.6% of the senior population is on Medicaid meaning an exceptionally large portion of the senior population will need to pay out-of-pocket for wheelchair transportation.

Addressing the growing  transportation needs of seniors, particularly those requiring wheelchair  transportation and those not qualifying for Medicaid,  necessitates the need for MedRyde Transport.  MedRyde continues to collaborate and partner with area hospitals,  emergency rooms, and nursing facilities to increase accessibility while  also working with various local agencies to strategies and raise awareness for increased support services.