Opening Doors to Connection: How Mobility Solutions Help David and Frank Enjoy the Moments that Matter 

As people live longer, ensuring the places where we live and spend time remain accessible and support mobility, independence, and connection becomes increasingly important. Elevators and escalators can help older adults navigate the places they call home and stay connected to the world around them. 

To better understand what mobility can mean to daily life, we spoke with David Heavens, a caregiver who shares his experiences on social media, and his client Frank, a 92-year-old Navy veteran he supports. Accessible elevators in his apartment building help make it possible for Frank to leave home and reach the people and places that matter to him.  

Their experiences validate the role that Otis plays in supporting movement and connection at every age. 

Tell us about a place that matters to you and how you get there. 

David: Honestly, it's the simple places. There's a diner Frank loves where he gets his grilled cheese. Getting there is a whole production nobody sees. We take the elevator down from his apartment, get him and his walker settled in the car, drive over, and I check the entrance before he even gets out. If any link in that chain breaks, we don't go. But when it works, you should see him. He's out, he's eating, and he's interacting with his fans and the online community who recognize us while we're out and about. He lights up. That's a good day for both of us. 

Frank: I like the diner. I like my grilled cheese. David takes me and I get to see people. That's enough for me. 

 

David, as a caregiver to Frank, what is one of the biggest challenges you face when leaving the house that makes it hard to get from point A to point B? 

David: The biggest challenge has nothing to do with Frank. He's usually excited to be part of the world, part of whatever's going on. The challenge is that accessibility decides for us before we ever leave the house. It's the first thing I check: Is there an elevator? Is it working? Can his wheelchair get in? If the answer is no, the decision is already made, even if he's been looking forward to it all week. That's the part I want people to understand. It's not about willingness. So many older adults and the people who care for them face the same barriers. The outing doesn't fail because someone didn't try. It fails because the space doesn’t make it possible for them to participate. 

How important is it that the places you visit together have mobility solutions that are designed for older adults? 

David: It's everything. It's the difference between Frank having a full life and Frank watching one. When a building has a working elevator, Frank gets to be a person out in the world. When it doesn't, he's stuck inside. It's that simple. Accessibility isn't a feature. It's the door. 

From your perspective, Frank, what impact does the ability to get outside and visit places in the community have on your well-being? 

Frank: I like going out. I like seeing people, I like doing things. When I can't get out, I just sit here and wait. Nobody wants to just sit. Going out, that's living. That’s when I get to try new things, spend time with my family, and get the care I need to stay healthy and keep going. I can’t do that without elevators. 

Enabling Connection and Experiences 

At Otis, mobility means more than moving between places. It’s about independence, access and the ability to participate fully in life.