With the help of our newest partner HonorHealth, we’re thrilled to announce that our signature service called a “Companion Ride”, an assisted door-through-door rideshare service, is available in the greater Phoenix Metro area. Since Companion Rides are a new type of transportation for Phoenix residents, we thought we’d break it down.
What’s a Companion Ride?
Companion Rides are an assisted, Door-Through-Door™ transportation designed to support seniors, disabled adults, and low acuity patients in need of minor physical assistance. Companion Rides can support individuals with foldable wheelchairs and walkers.
Companion Rides are not only used for accessing healthcare services such as dialysis, mild sedation, routine medical appointments, and specialty clinics, but also to support all aspects of daily living such as running errands, picking up prescriptions, and grocery shopping.
Trips can be scheduled as “one way’ or as a “wait and return” trip. A wait and return trip can be beneficial for individuals with mild cognitive impairments such as early dementia as the same driver who drops off the rider, will wait with the rider and then take them home for the return leg of the trip.
How do Companion Rides solve for Social Isolation?
In Onward’s rider profile section, we collect language, gender, mobility and impairment data to create an elevated rider experience. We use this information to match riders and drivers because it creates a more comfortable experience for everyone.
If a rider enjoys riding with their Companion Driver, they can add them to their favorites. Our system provides priority pairing between riders and their favorite drivers because seeing the same faces builds community and reduces the feeling of isolation.
We like to think of Companion Rides as less of a transportation function and more of a support system that removes transportation barriers to health.
Meet your new best friend: Companion Drivers
In the front seat of a Companion Ride, you’ll meet your Companion Driver. These purpose driven individuals are trained to provide the extra support that our riders need.
Companion Drivers are CPR and First Aid certified, background checked, finger printed, drug tested and more to ensure a safe experience for riders.
Drivers also undergo training to ensure effective support for riders as they navigate into a vehicle - specifically with stairs, curbs and entering/exiting vehicles.
If you’re interested in becoming a Companion Driver in the Phoenix Metro, you can apply here!
What is the best way to request a Companion Ride?
Business users of Onward will schedule trips within the booking platform, but because Companion Rides are also available to the general public, we’ve created three booking options.
There are three easy ways to request a Companion Ride:
Download the Onward app and schedule ride
Create an account on our website
Call the Onward Concierge Team
For individuals booking rides for themselves or a loved one, we recommend creating a profile online to input rider details and preferences. As a rider or caregiver, the platform and app also allow you to configure real time notifications so that you know when a ride is on its way, has started, or is completed! Real time trip tracking is also available in rider accounts.
Will Onward partner with other healthcare facilities in the area?
That’s our goal! We’re currently working with the Skilled Nursing Facilities in HonorHealth’s network and having lots of great discussions with healthcare and transit organizations.
The best way to get in touch with our development team is on our website: Hospital Partners
Thanks for having us Arizona!
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