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S6:E5 - How Lack of Accessible Transportation is Impacting Aging in Place in Rural Communities with Nicole Jones


Nicole Jones is the founder of Little Red Riding Hood, Inc., and today she joins us to talk about the hidden crisis of senior transportation in rural communities. Her story shows how one human moment can spark a solution that strengthens healthcare access, local economies, and community belonging. This episode is a testimony to how one moment and one person can inspire change, and a reminder to protect those who came before us so we can be stronger, more whole communities.


About Nicole:

I am a 35-year-old who has made it her life's mission to help seniors in rural areas after finding a blind senior man lost in the middle of the road. My passions include weight lifting, writing (I have a novel coming out soon as a hopeful way to raise funds for the company), and the Professional Women’s Hockey League (go Montreal Victoire!). I live in the small town of Bigler, PA, with my four rescue cats, two turkeys, and twelve ducks.

In this episode, we cover:

  • How a chance encounter with a stranded senior sparked a rural transportation startup

  • Why senior mobility is directly tied to rural economic health

  • What makes rural transportation different from Uber or Lyft

  • How technology can work with seniors instead of around them

  • Why honoring aging residents is critical to growing small towns


Links + Resources Mentioned:

Phone number: 412-376-5145

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