Lack of accessibility in public transport and inadequacy of sidewalks: effects on the social participation of elderly persons with functional limitations

Abstract

Objective: To analyze the association between the decline in the mobility of community dwelling elderly persons in São Paulo, Brazil and their capacity to use public transportation, and its impact on their quality of life and social participation. Method: A cross-sectional study was conducted of 32 community dwelling elderly persons, of both genders (59% female), with an average age of 75.5 years (±9.2). The participants were evaluated by functional mobility, risk of falls, fear of falls and independence in activities of daily living. In addition, the perception of the elderly persons of their mobility on public transport and its impact on their social participation was evaluated. The elderly persons were divided into two groups: with mobility impairment and without mobility impairment. The groups were compared using the Fisher's Exact, Chi-Squared and Mann-Whitney tests, and the unpaired Student's t-test. An alpha level of 0.05 was adopted as a level of statistical significance. Result: Elderly persons with greater mobility impairment exhibited greater difficulty accessing public transport and a greater number of falls during their use of the same. Elderly persons who reported difficulty accessing public transport suffered greater impact on their social participation and quality of life. Conclusion: Elderly persons with greater mobility impairment had a greater number of complaints related to public transport. Additionally, they suffered a greater impact on their social participation, characterized by limitations in their capacity for independent movement around the city, limiting their social activities.

Predictors of the social participation of adults with Down syndrome: an analysis based on the biopsychosocial model of the International Classification of Functioning, Disability, and Health

“…The statistical model of our study revealed three predictive variables that influence social participation: functional mobility was the variable with the greatest association, followed by cognitive function and the muscle strength of lower limbs. Santos et al 20 found evidence of a result like ours. They analyzed the impact of functional mobility on the quality of life and social participation of older adults.…”

Understanding mobility characteristics and needs of older persons in urban Pakistan with respect to use of public transport and self-driving

“…A further 16% needed to walk for more than five minutes while 34% had to take a paratransit (auto rickshaw or taxi) to reach a bus stop or the Metrobus. Santos et al (2017) pointed out that irregular sidewalks, inaccessible public transport and other characteristics of the built environment can create barriers to the mobility of elderly people thus reduce their use of public transport.…”

Efetividade do transporte público gratuito para inclusão de pessoas idosas (São Paulo)

“…A lei n. 12.587, de 3 de janeiro de 2012, que institui as diretrizes da Política Nacional de Mobilidade Urbana (Brasil, 2012), explicita a prioridade aos modos de transporte não motorizados, não fornecendo, no entanto, diretrizes que a garantam e viabilizem. Enquanto não houver uma política pública que trate com responsabilidade e eficiência as calçadas das cidades, livrando-as das irregularidades cometidas pela parceria público-privada com que são regidas atualmente, os idosos continuarão a ser as maiores vítimas do acidente de trânsito mais usual: a queda nas calçadas (Santos et al, 2017). Na cidade de São Paulo, por exemplo, proprietários de lotes são responsáveis pela construção, reforma e manutenção de calçadas contíguas, cabendo, ao poder público, fornecer as diretrizes de como fazê-lo e fiscalizar o seu cumprimento (São Paulo (Município), 2011).…”