Administration On Aging: AOA

20 Minute Oral Report

Jennifer Dahlin

April 30, 2001

Clicking to the Administration On Aging home page www.aoa.dhhs.gov was very useful. There was a lot of information on the elderly. Articles, research, statistical information and resources for that data are just a few categories of information found on the home page.

I liked one feature in particular, it is called site index and quick index. All the categories on the elderly are housed in a chart, it is easy for the reader to find what they are looking for and click for that information, then the articles on that particular subject are called up.

Overall Interest

To be completely candid, I did not think that this site was very interesting. It was all text and offered no pictures or graphs to lighten things up. This site was not extensive, probably because it is an "Executive Summary" or similar to a research paper, which may not call for being more elaborate. On the positive side, it was easy to read and understand, even though it was very long and sometimes boring.

General Content

Mobility and Independence: Changes and Challenges for Older Drivers. By Jon E. Burkhardt, Arlene M. Berger, Michael Creedon and Adam T. McGavock - Ecosometrics, Inc. July 1998. This report educates readers on what it means to give up driving. Giving up driving involves safety issues, loss of independence and a overall impairment in the lives of the elderly.

It is an executive summary on several points that effect older drivers.

*Changes and Challenges

*Everyone Needs Mobility - And Safety

*The Mobility Consequences Model

*Potential Numbers Of Older Drivers

*Age Related Changes to Driving Patterns

*Mobility Changes for Elders Who Reduce or Cease Driving

*The Consequences of Mobility Changes

*What it Means to Reduce or Stop Driving

*Possible Interventions to the Potential Stream of Consequences

*Conclusions, Recommendations, and Policy Implications

Changes and Challenges

Today, our way of live hinges on personal automotive mobility. Others avenues of travel rarely offer the same independence that a privately owned vehicle can offer. Unfortunately as we age, the skills we need to operate a car safely can diminish. Usually it is up to the individual to recognize when their personal driving skills are so badly effected that driving is no longer an option for them. However it is difficult to access one's own driving ability accurately. Elderly drivers are more apt at recognizing their peer's inadequate driving ability than their own driving skills. Elderly drivers will not ride with a person whom they deem as driving impaired.

When a person loses the ability to drive safely, he also loses the freedom, personal dignity and mobility that he was accustomed to before. It seems that losing the ability to drive permeates into the very fabric of elderly persons lives. Social functions, shopping, doctor's appointments and visiting are greatly effected when operating a personal vehicle is no longer an option.

Everyone Needs Mobility - and Safety

Almost everything that society has to offer depends on our ability to take ourselves to that and other locations. Visiting friends and relatives, employment, social engagements, health care, entertainment and religious events are some of the activities that depend on our ability to get there. "High levels of mobility mean high levels of access, choice, and opportunity, which can lead to self-fulfillment and enrichment. Low levels of mobility can lead to isolation and cultural impoverishment" (Burkhardt, Berger, Creedon and McGavock p. 2).

The Mobility Consequences Model

The following is the usual events that are associated with age-related driving changes.

*Physical and mental changes (such as reduced night vision or loss of peripheral vision) associated with the aging processes often lead to reductions in the skills needed for safe driving.

*Age-related functional declines or reductions in the skills needed for driving lead to reductions in driving (fewer driving trips, shorter trips, not driving at night, or other reductions). These functional declines may also lead to an increased risk of crashes.

*Reductions in driving lead to reductions in mobility (fewer trips by all modes, higher transportation costs, reduced mileage traveled).

*Reductions in mobility lead to numerous quality of life consequences, including reductions in activity levels (less social interaction, reduced use of community services), which may lead to undesirable consequences.

Usually these events take place gradually, over a period of time. For most elderly this sequence of events will have detrimental effects on their lifestyles, however some elderly may enjoy the change and will flourish.

Potential Numbers of Older Drivers

In the next ten to thirty years the number of elderly drivers will double. The number of elderly female drivers is expected to greatly rise also.

The increase in the proportion of elderly drivers on the road is due to the rising number of elderly drivers and because the United States population is getting older as a whole.

The miles driven by older drivers in predicted to rise 465% by the year 2020.

Age Related Changes to Driving Patterns

The process of aging can affect our level of consciousness or perception, judgment and motor skills. Since aging may diminish any or all of the above, the aging process can take away our ability to safely drive a car. However assigning a chronological age at which drivers licenses should be stripped is unfair. Determining just when a person is unable to drive safely is a difficult task for health care professionals and the family to do.

Some elderly can recognize their deficits and make accommodations or relinquish their licenses by their own accord. However others lack this self awareness and continue to drive when they should not.

Mobility Changes for Elders Who Reduce or Cease Driving

Focus group members, recalled the following sources of transportation that enable them to meet their basic needs.

*They have spouses or significant other who drive.

*They live with children or have children in the area.

*They have sufficient financial resources to purchase transportation.

*They are heavily involved with a religious institution.

*They live in communities with viable non-driving transportation options.

*They are physically able to use public transportation.

*They have reduced their activities and their expectations to fit their present circumstances.

The Consequences of Mobility Changes

Transportation is imperative to social functions and life activities. Changes in the quantity and quality of transportation can and does significantly impact people's lives. "... expanded mobility can open unexplored opportunities and reduced mobility can limit options for interaction. Such changes can significantly impact a person's quality of life" (p. 5).

What it Means to Reduce or Stop Driving - Impacts on Personal Independence

When you relinquish the privilege to drive, you are also relinquishing your independence. Most elderly drivers expect that a loss of freedom and independence will accompany not driving any more. They also fear becoming dependent on others, the waiting time, the inconvenience and becoming a burden on other people.

Possible Interventions to the Potential stream of Consequences

Education and counseling can help us become aware of what will happen when we become elderly. It can help people plan for their transportational needs like planning for retirement. We all must acknowledge and plan for our non-driving futures.

Requirements for Successful Mobility Interventions

Successful interventions should provide rides that still provide a sense of security, dignity and independence.

Conclusions

Focus on mobility planning. Almost universally elderly people and soon to be elderly people do not plan their future traveling arrangements. People must become educated to consider how they will get around if and when they can no longer drive.

We also must improve mobility choices now. Since there will be a steady rise of seniors in our population, additional public and private modes of transportation will be needed to accommodate the increase.