Uber Senior and Uber Simple: the two new services for seniors

Growing digitalization and unwanted loneliness are two factors that can affect older adults. However, there are increasing initiatives seeking to reduce their impact. Furthermore, several initiatives are planned for next year with the aim of making technology more understandable to older adults so they can apply it in their daily lives. Family profiles and senior accounts

Uber Senior offers advantages and features to improve accessibility for seniors or those with disabilities. To use it, you must create a family profile in the app and invite parents, grandparents, or elderly loved ones to register as a senior user. The new rider will then receive a message with a link to download the app and create their account. From that moment on, the senior user can request rides with the help of a family member or individually, thus further enhancing their autonomy.

Additionally, family organizers will be able to manage payments, save frequently used locations, such as the doctor or the supermarket, monitor the route of seniors, or even contact the Uber driver in case of emergency. Vilas, the general manager of Uber in Spain.

Simple Mode: a simpler version

In parallel with the previous innovation, the alliance has introduced Simple Mode. Uber offers a simpler version for managing your account: fewer procedures than the general app, reduced navigation, and real-time help and support features. It also includes larger text and icons for people with low vision. This mode can be activated in the settings—although the Uber Senior option is not selected—and is recommended for seniors or those unfamiliar with technology.

The digital divide

Only 36% of people over 75 years of age use the internet regularly, according to data from the National Institute of Statistics (INE). Although this gap is narrowing over time, it leaves many people unable to use essential services and increases their feeling of isolation. "At Uber, we want to reduce the digital divide and ensure our seniors can remain connected with what matters most: their loved ones," explains Vilas. Although Uber is present in more than 10,000 cities and 70 countries, the company continues to seek solutions and offers this new opportunity to meet a mobility need for a group that is often left out due to difficulties with using technology.

On the other hand, the Adopt a Grandparent Foundation, led by Executive Director Alberto Cabanes, expressed its joy: "We are very happy to collaborate with Uber in reducing the digital divide for seniors through its new service, Uber Senior, from which thousands will benefit." The company's intergenerational program for seniors at risk of loneliness was born with a clear objective: to ensure that this group feels heard and supported, and that the volunteers themselves can learn and gain life experiences. Although the association began in 2014, it has already provided more than 69,000 hours of companionship and 500 socializing activities for seniors thanks to its large number of volunteers. This collaboration represents a major step toward greater accessibility for all.