Citation

Hadley Strout E, Fox L, Castro A, Haroun P, Leavitt B, Ross C, Sayan M, Delaney T, Platzer A, Hutchins J, Carney JK. Aging Clin. Exp. Res. 2015; 28(4): 769-774.

Affiliation

University of Vermont College of Medicine, 89 Beaumont Ave., Burlington, VT, 05405, USA.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2015, Holtzbrinck Springer Nature Publishing Group)

DOI

10.1007/s40520-015-0476-3

PMID

26542413

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Aging often leads to decreased independence and mobility, which can be detrimental to health and well-being. The growing population of older adults will create a greater need for reliable transportation. AIMS: Explore whether and how lack of transportation has compromised areas of daily lives in older adults.

METHODS: 1221 surveys with 36 questions assessing transportation access, usage, and impact on activities were distributed to Chittenden County, Vermont older adults; 252 met criteria for analysis.

RESULTS: Older adults reported overwhelming difficulty getting to activities considered important, with 69 % of participants delaying medical appointments due to transportation barriers. Although family and friends represent a primary method of transportation, older adults reported difficulty asking them for help.

DISCUSSION: Lack of accessible transportation leads to missed healthcare appointments and social isolation, which may have detrimental effects on older adults' quality of life.

CONCLUSION: Many older adults face significant transportation challenges that negatively affect their health and well-being.

Language: en