Older Women's Community Mobility: A Qualitative Exploration

Abstract

Many of the limitations experienced by community-dwelling older women are related to mobility within their communities. This qualitative study explored community mobility from the perspective of older, community-dwelling women in Winnipeg, Manitoba. Semi-structured interviews were completed with 23 older women (mean age 75.9 years) identified through an existing database. In addition to travels to conduct instrumental activities of daily living and participate in social and recreational activities, the women in the study described trips to fulfil social obligations (e.g., attending funerals, visiting sick friends) and emphasized the importance of these trips. The women's travels through the city were influenced by their perception of risk and the strategies they employed to minimize or avoid risk during the day, in the evening, and during bad weather. Autonomous community mobility provided the women with a sense of independence and control. The findings have potential implications for health care providers and community programmers who work to maintain older women in the community.

Moderating effects of social engagement on driving cessation in older women

“…due to financial reasons or moving to a new residence where a car is not practical or necessary, or be required due to a medical condition such as dementia (Liddle et al, 2013). Driving cessation is associated with a range of negative consequences, including increased depressive symptomatology (Windsor et al, 2007), less engagement in out-of-home activities (Marottoli et al, 2000), reduced social involvement and feelings of social isolation (Liddle et al, 2012), restricted access to community services (Johnson, 2008), higher risk of long-term care placement (Freeman et al, 2006), increased risk of mortality (O'Connor et al, 2013), and concerns and feelings about being a burden on family members or caregivers (Finlayson and Kaufert, 2002).…”

La mobilité quotidienne de banlieusards vieillissants et âgés: Déplacements, aspirations et significations de la mobilité

“…1993; Clément et al . 1998; Coughlin 2001; Finlayson et Kaufert 2002; Clément 2003; Daris 2003; Shope 2003; Lord et Luxembourg 2006), montrent que le vieillissement, avec ses conséquences physiologiques et sociales, limite les aspirations à sortir du domicile. Toutefois, cette limite n’est pas nécessairement mal vécue.…”

“…La perception individuelle et collective d'obstacles, de pressions diverses et de l'état de sa propre santé sont des dimensions‐clés dans la propension de l'aînéà se déplacer (Clément et al . 1998; Finlayson et Kaufert 2002). L'accès à l' auto‐mobilité , au‐delà des dimensions pratiques, signifie un statut d'autonomie et contribue à la satisfaction résidentielle (Coughlin 2001; Daris 2003; Lord et Luxembourg 2006).…”

The stages of driving cessation for people with dementia: needs and challenges

“…It has been associated with increase in depressive symptomatology (Windsor et al, 2007), restricted access to social networks and necessary community services, increased burden for family members (Johnson, 2008) as well as the feeling in the older ex-driver that they are a burden (Finlayson and Kaufert, 2002) and earlier institutionalization (Freeman et al, 2006). It has been associated with increase in depressive symptomatology (Windsor et al, 2007), restricted access to social networks and necessary community services, increased burden for family members (Johnson, 2008) as well as the feeling in the older ex-driver that they are a burden (Finlayson and Kaufert, 2002) and earlier institutionalization (Freeman et al, 2006).…”