Cost: Free

Wheelchair availability: Samuel S. Stratton VA Medical Center campus has wheelchairs upon arrival for patients who need them to access the building. 

Van services for Veterans

DAV vans

Hours: Individual van schedules vary

We work with Disabled American Veterans and county Veterans Affairs directors to provide transportation for Veterans and authorized caregivers to get to scheduled medical appointments.

Non-DAV van services

Many localities in the region provide other van services to Veterans.

Learn more about DAV and the other van services available in your county

Shuttle service at 

Coming soon!

Local transportation services

Pay services

CDTA (bus), Taxi Services serving Albany County, Rideshares in Albany County

Other available services

Town Senior Services transportation.

Beneficiary travel

Beneficiary travel benefits include round-trip transportation from your home to the medical center, mileage reimbursement, or special mode transport. 

Find out if you qualify for beneficiary travel benefits

Our goal is to ensure the safest possible healthcare available - for our patients, visitors, staff and volunteers.  It’s important to note that due to COVID and changing regional transmission rates, the following visitation guidance is subject to change.  If visiting a loved-one, it is advisable to contact the nursing station there to ensure you are aware of any visitation guideline updates.  Veterans receiving Compassionate and End-of-Life Care may be provided some latitude as outlined below.  Thank you.

Visitation (Standard):

Monday-Friday, 2:00pm-6:00pm

Saturday/Sunday, 12:00-12:00pm

Visitors - 1 Visitor (18-years and older) is allowed during visitation hours.  Due to current COVID and transmission rate concerns, Veterans can receive 1 visitor per day, under standard visitation. The change-out of visitors will not be allowed.  Visitors will:

• Access the medical center and conduct visits only during posted visitation hours.
• Take part in a COVID-19 screening upon entering the facility.
• For Compassionate Care visits occurring “off-tour,” other than regular visitation hours, complete a mandatory screening prior to the actual visit with the patient.
• Perform hand hygiene when entering facility and before & after visiting a hospitalized Veteran as instructed by staff.
• Wear a surgical or procedural face mask while in the facility (cloth masks are not an appropriate form of a face covering and are not allowed)
• Follow all staff instruction regarding use of additional personal protective equipment (PPE), including putting-on and taking-off PPE, which may be required depending on assigned precautions.
• Remain in the patient’s room except to use the nearest public restroom (the use of patient designated restrooms is not permitted).
• Refrain from eating or drinking while visiting a patient. 
• Exit the facility immediately following the visitation.

*Note: there are NO overnight visits allowed.  Family members traveling long distances may inquiry about available alternatives, including the use of Fisher House or available lodging nearby.

Compassionate Care Visitation (Exceptions):

• Veterans receiving compassionate or end-of-life care will be allowed 2 visitors at the bedside (18-years or older)
• For End-of-Life visitation, visitor switch-outs will be allowed. This will Only be allowed for End-of-Life patients.  The additional visitors are not allowed to enter the building until the other visitors have exited.

Restrictions:

To ensure the safety of Veterans and staff, and to limit the spread of COVID-19, visitation will be further restricted for the following:

• Veterans with confirmed or suspected COVID-19
• Veterans who are extremely immunocompromised or high-risk

*Visitors must follow the instructions above during visitation. Failure to comply with all guidance may result in ending the visitation immediately.