Older Drivers Retiring From the Road: An Application of the Selection, Optimization, and Compensation Model

Moving as a family affair: Applying the SOC model to older adults and their kinship networks

“…Considering relocation in this way innovates on the SOC model because 1) it both expands upon Baltes and Baltes’ original idea of moving to a nursing home to also apply to a continuum of senior housing options and 2) applies the SOC model to dyadic relationships and to other members of a kin network. Unlike Baltes and Baltes’ original applications of the model to piano playing or running (Baltes & Baltes, 1990) and others’ applications of the model to driving cessation and hypothetical concerns of aging in place (Pickard, Tan, Morrow-Howell, & Jung, 2009, Kelly et al, 2014) relocation is unique because a couple may select it and undertake it together. But even given the potential for mutual selection, the way each member of the couple optimizes and compensates in the model may be unique.…”

Development of a novel driving behavior adaptations questionnaire

“…There is quite some research investigating driving-related behavioral adaptations of older drivers (Marottoli et al, 1993;Hakamies-Blomqvist, 1994;De Raedt and Ponjaert-Kristoffersen, 2000;Baldock et al, 2006;Trick et al, 2010). Most studies in this field focus mainly on selection, finding that older drivers reduce the number of driving trips, avoid situations like driving in the dark and during rush hours, and tend to drive more slowly (Marottoli et al, 1993;Hakamies-Blomqvist, 1994;Baldock et al, 2006;Pickard et al, 2009). The focus on selection implies a loss-centered view on older drivers' driving abilities, neglecting the possibility to optimize existing resources or to compensate for declining skills.…”

Measuring the impact of driving status: The Centre for Research on Safe Driving–Impact of Driving Status on Quality of Life (CRSD-IDSQoL) tool

“…Given that driving cessation can have negative and positive consequences, Pickard, Tan, Morrow-Howell, and Jung (2009) highlighted the importance of the transition from driver to nondriver status as an important process that needs consideration and assessment. Pickard and colleagues (2009) conducted a cross-sectional study ( N = 281) of adults ages 65 and older to compare health functioning, mental health, activity engagement, and social support among drivers, nondrivers, and drivers who have decreased their driving. The results revealed that nondrivers were the least physically functional, while drivers were the most functional, and those drivers who drove less were considered at risk for diminishing function.…”