Senior Independence & Mobility Resource Guide

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H-E-B Delivery brings fresh groceries, prescriptions, and household essentials straight to the senior’s doorstep, eliminating the need to drive or carry heavy bags.

Step-by-Step Setup for Families

1.    Create an Account: Download the My H-E-B App (Apple App Store / Google Play Store) or visit the H-E-B Official Website. Use the senior's Waco delivery address, phone number, and email.

2.    Set Shopping Method: Enter the senior's Waco ZIP code and select "Delivery" as the shopping preference.

3.    Link a Payment Card: Securely add a credit or debit card under account settings. Long-distance family members can link their own card to pay for their relative's groceries remotely.

4.    Shop & Set Substitutions: Use the search bar for items (e.g., "milk"). At checkout, choose "Do Not Substitute" or specify allowed replacements if an item is out of stock.

5.    Schedule and Add Instructions: Choose a 1-hour delivery window. In the "Instructions" box, add helpful details like: "Senior resident recovering from a stroke. Moves slowly. Please knock loudly and leave items on the porch table."

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Meals on Wheels provides home-delivered hot lunches, social interaction, and an essential daily safety check for homebound seniors.

Step-by-Step Setup for Families

1.    Verify Eligibility: The senior must be 60 years or older, live in McLennan, Falls, or Hill counties, and have a medical condition or mobility limit that prevents them from driving, grocery shopping, or cooking safely.

2.    Initiate the Application: Call the Waco main office directly at (254) 752-0316 or visit the Meals on Wheels Waco Portal.

3.    Complete the Assessment: A caseworker will schedule a phone or in-home evaluation. Have the senior's date of birth, medical history, doctor information, and dietary restrictions (e.g., low-sodium) ready.

4.    Coordinate Deliveries: Hot meals arrive Monday through Friday between 10:30 a.m. and 12:30 p.m. The senior must be home. Drivers will knock and wait; they will never leave food unattended, serving as a vital daily wellness check.

5.    Ask About Add-Ons: Inquire about Pet Food Assistance (free pet food delivery) and Senior Center Transportation ($3 curb-to-curb rides via Waco Transit). More details can be found on the Meals on Wheels Waco Transportation Page.

Waco Transit offers dedicated, subsidized, curb-to-curb van rides. These are much easier and safer for stroke recovery patients than navigating traditional bus routes.

Option A: Senior/Rural Curb-to-Curb Service (Planned Trips)

• Best For: Scheduled medical appointments, physical therapy, and grocery shopping trips.

• Eligibility: Must be 65 years or older (or have a documented medical disability). Operates within McLennan County, Monday through Friday, 7:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. No lengthy application required.

• How to Book: Call (254) 750-1620 at least 24 to 48 hours in advance. Give the operator the pickup address, destination address, and appointment time.

• Cost: $3.00 exact cash per one-way trip ($6.00 round trip). Drivers cannot give change. One caregiver or family escort can ride along for free to assist the senior; just notify the operator when booking.

Option B: Micro Dash & Evening Link (On-Demand / Same-Day Trips)

• Best For: Spontaneous, same-day travel across urban Waco. Micro Dash runs Monday through Saturday (7:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m.). Evening Link runs 8:15 p.m. to midnight.

• How to Book: Download the Ride Pingo App (Apple App Store / Google Play Store) to request a van. If the senior does not use a smartphone, call (254) 750-1623 to book by phone.

• Cost: $3.00 per single trip. You can pay with exact cash to the driver or link a credit card to the app to pay for your loved one's rides remotely.

It all begins with an idea. Maybe you want to launch a business. Maybe you want to turnCommercial rideshare apps allow long-distance family members to book, track, and pay for rides on behalf of a senior. The senior does not need a smartphone—only a basic phone that can receive text messages.

Booking an Uber for Someone Else

1.    Open your Uber app and tap "Where to?"

2.    Tap your name/profile dropdown menu at the top of the screen and select "Add a Rider." Choose your loved one from your phone contacts.

3.    Enter the Waco pickup location and destination.

4.    Select the ride type. Choose UberX, or Uber Assist (if available) for drivers trained to assist with folding walkers or mild mobility impairments.

5.    Confirm the ride. It automatically bills your saved credit card. Uber will text the driver's details and car info straight to the senior's phone.

Booking a Lyft for Someone Else

1.    Open your Lyft app and tap "Search destination."

2.    Tap the "Me" dropdown menu at the top of the screen and select "Add rider." Accept the terms and select your senior relative from your contacts.

3.    Input the Waco pickup address and destination.

4.    Select the ride type (e.g., standard Lyft or Lyft Access for folding mobility devices) and tap "Select Lyft."

5.    The trip bills your account directly. Lyft will text the vehicle's color, make, and license plate number to the senior so they know who to look for at the curb.

Family Caregiver Pro-Tips

• Message the Driver: Once a driver accepts the Uber or Lyft request, send them a text in the app: "Hi, I am booking this for my grandparent who is recovering from a stroke. They move slowly. Please knock on the door or call out their name when you arrive at the curb."

• Set Up a Family Profile: Both apps allow you to build a shared family profile. If your loved one is comfortable using a smartphone app, they can request their own rides, but the fares will automatically bill to your credit card. a hobby into something more. Or maybe you have a creative project to share with the world. Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference.