Citation

Dickerson AE, Molnar LJ, Bedard M, Eby DW, Berg-Weger M, Choi M, Grigg J, Horowitz A, Meuser T, Myers A, O'Connor M, Silverstein NM. Gerontologist 2019; 59(2): 215-221.

Affiliation

Department of Gerontology, University of Massachusetts Boston.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2019, Oxford University Press)

DOI

10.1093/geront/gnx120

PMID

28958085

Abstract

Engagement in civic, social, and community life plays an important role in health, well-being, and quality of life, and requires individuals to be mobile in their environment. In this article, we review what is currently known about 2 areas relevant to safe mobility for older drivers and identify future research in these areas. Using a framework for transportation and safe mobility, 2 key areas were selected for review: the process of transitioning to non-driving and the maintenance of mobility after driving has ceased. This article serves as a companion to another article that used the same approach to explore safe mobility issues for older adults who are still driving. We found that although there has been progress in supporting transitioning process to non-driving and improving mobility options for older adults following driving cessation, many knowledge gaps still exist. We identified several research topics that would benefit from continued scientific inquiry. In addition, several themes emerged from the review, including the need for: multidisciplinary, community-wide solutions; large-scale, longitudinal studies; improved education and training for older adults and the variety of stakeholders involved in older adult transportation; and the need for programs and interventions that are flexible and responsive to individual needs and situational differences.

© The Author 2017. Published by Oxford University Press on behalf of The Gerontological Society of America. All rights reserved. For permissions, please e-mail: journals.permissions@oup.com.

Language: en

Keywords

Aging; Injury prevention; Safety