COLUMBUS, Ga. (WRBL) — The ride-booking app, Uber, announced today their new feature aimed to help older adults get around independently.

Senior accounts are an extension of Uber’s family profiles feature, which enables family members to create accounts for booking rides and receiving real-time trip updates. The app has also introduced Simple Mode for seniors, offering a user-friendly interface with larger text, saved locations, and fewer buttons for simplicity.

Payment can be made using Medicare Advantage plans that offer extra benefit funds for transportation. These pre-loaded cards provided by insurance companies can be used for eligible healthcare costs, although eligibility criteria might differ.

“Transportation is one of the major obstacles to independence for the elderly,” stated Silvia Candamil Neira, Vice President, Global Initiative on Ageing and Longevity. “Uber’s senior accounts offer a straightforward and flexible solution for older adults to travel independently—reducing dependence on others. It promotes dignity, freedom, and maintains connections to important people and places.”

Uber says to set up a senior account, users can do the following:

• In the Uber app, invites an older adult to join a Family profile.
• The older adult will get a text with a link to download the app and create their account (if they don’t have the app already).
• From there, they can request rides on their own—or get help from family when needed.