Uber is rolling out a new service aimed at helping caregivers get transportation and essentials. (David Tran/Dreamstime/TNS)
Ride-sharing service Uber is introducing an option to make it easier for caregivers to transport people with disabilities or those they support from one location to another.
Called Uber Caregiver, the service allows Uber users to designate a caregiver to book, pay for and monitor rides. Caregivers can also arrange deliveries for people with disabilities or those they support.
As part of the service, three-way chat allows caregivers and care recipients to communicate with Uber drivers, and caregivers can see the progress of the trip or delivery in real time.
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“Caregivers are the invisible pillars of our healthcare system. They provide essential care to millions of people, often at a tremendous personal cost, but they shouldn’t have to do it alone,” said Caitlin Donovan, global head of Uber Health. “Our new solution will help ease that burden.”
The company also partners with Medicaid, Medicare Advantage and private health insurers to allow individuals to use their available benefits to, for example, pay for transportation to a medical appointment or order groceries through Uber Eats directly through the Uber app.
Uber Caregiver is available to anyone with a smartphone and an Uber account, according to Swati Bhatt, head of product at Uber Health. Caregivers can request a service like Uber Assist, where specially trained drivers will help load and unload assistive devices, though the company noted that caregivers shouldn’t arrange rides for people who can’t ride alone.
Starting this summer, Uber users will be able to appoint a carer to manage their trips.
The company said an option to allow caregivers to order groceries and other commercial items will be added later this year.
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