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The People-Oriented Transportation Linkages for Underserved Communities (POTLUCK)

March 3, 2025 | General, Transportation

The People-Oriented Transportation Linkages for Underserved Communities (POTLUCK) initiative is a collaborative statewide effort led by nonprofit, public, and private partners to address the transportation and telehealth needs of older adults in underserved areas. As a program of Age Friendly Arizona and funded by Humana, POTLUCK aims to connect older adults, particularly those with low incomes or medical vulnerabilities, to essential healthcare services. Recognizing that aging often brings increased medical needs and reduced driving abilities, POTLUCK addresses the gaps in traditional transportation solutions, especially in rural areas where public transit may be limited or nonexistent.

POTLUCK leverages the Unite Us platform to streamline coordination among healthcare and transportation providers, reducing missed appointments and improving access to care. The initiative offers a multi-faceted approach: offering telemedicine options at community hubs like libraries or senior centers with support from digital navigators, as well as delivering telemedicine services directly to older adults’ homes via mobile vans equipped with necessary technology and staff. Pilot programs will refine the model, which is designed to be replicable nationwide. By integrating transportation and telehealth solutions, POTLUCK enhances healthcare accessibility for older adults while serving as a scalable model for communities across the country.

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