SAN ANTONIO – In San Antonio, there are currently 12 comprehensive senior centers along with four part-time centers dedicated to serving the needs of older adults. These facilities provide a vital space for seniors to gather, socialize, and access various support services.
To facilitate access to these centers, the city offers free transportation services for seniors residing within a five-mile radius. This initiative aims to ensure that older adults can easily participate in community activities and receive necessary assistance.
However, as the population of San Antonio ages and expands beyond the city limits, many individuals who could benefit from the services of senior centers find themselves outside the designated transportation radius.
Richard Robledo, a concerned son, shared his experience, stating, “I was working, trying to get my mom some place to go and socialize.” His 93-year-old mother regularly attends the Doris Griffin Senior Center on the West Side, but unfortunately, she lives about seven miles away, just beyond the transportable area.
Robledo commended the staff at the Doris Griffin Center, remarking, “They are fantastic people, they all work very hard.” However, he emphasized the pressing need for expanded transportation services, especially as many seniors may not currently recognize the importance of such services, particularly if they are still able to drive.
To address this issue, Robledo is collaborating with District 7 Councilmember Marina Alderete Gavito to explore options for enhancing transportation availability for seniors. “The city policy is that they can pick up seniors within a five-mile radius and transport them to the senior center,” Gavito explained. “However, this policy was established a long time ago, and given how much our city has grown, we need to reassess what the new radius should be.”
In response to these concerns, Gavito has submitted a Council Consideration Request aimed at expanding transportation access for seniors. She noted the World Health Organization’s projections indicating that the population of individuals aged 60 and older is expected to nearly double between 2015 and 2050.
“My intent with filing this is to get more seniors to our senior centers,” Gavito stated. “There’s so much goodness that takes place at these centers, whether it’s providing meals, socialization, or fitness activities. We want to ensure more seniors can take advantage of these vital resources.”
Robledo remains optimistic about the potential for transportation expansion, hoping it will occur soon so that his mother can benefit from the services offered. “Expanding the radius will allow service for the people who live out by 1604,” he remarked. “I would have liked that done yesterday. It’s going to be a process, and I’m hoping that we can get that done soon enough.”
Gavito is currently uncertain about how far out the transportation radius could be extended, but she is hopeful that the necessary approvals will be in place by the end of 2026, allowing more seniors to access essential services and community engagement opportunities.
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