Transportation Equity, Health, and Aging: A Novel Approach to Healthy Longevity with Benefits Across the Life Span

Use of GPS for Older Adults to Decrease Driving Risk: Perceptions from Users and Non-Users

“…Certainly, there are older adults with significant medical conditions, in particular dementia, who will be unable to learn how to use and benefit from technology. However, as O'Neill et al [4] argues, over-restriction of older adults may cause a decrease in life-space mobility and therefore quality of life. With the safety of vehicles increasing and crash rates for older drivers decreasing [9], healthcare providers need to assist their clients with sensible and equitable decisions about driving and consider options, such as GPS technology, when appropriate, to decrease risk and ensure individuals have equitable access to transportation options to ensure quality of life.…”

“…In addition, community mobility is critical for maintaining physical and mental health and quality of life [2] and essential as a means to engage in activities outside the home in order to enhance and support social participation [3]. Thus, to support our older adult's wellbeing, professionals in both healthcare and transportation must work together to provide transportation mobility throughout the life span [4], especially for those most vulnerable, when driving is no longer possible and public methods of transportation are limited or not available. Transportation equity [4] will become more of a public health issue as the US population ages with those over the age of 80 becoming the fastest growing age group.…”

“…Thus, to support our older adult's wellbeing, professionals in both healthcare and transportation must work together to provide transportation mobility throughout the life span [4], especially for those most vulnerable, when driving is no longer possible and public methods of transportation are limited or not available. Transportation equity [4] will become more of a public health issue as the US population ages with those over the age of 80 becoming the fastest growing age group. This issue has been highlighted by the COVID-19 pandemic.…”

“…Thus, while there is a clear need for healthcare practitioners to require driving cessation for medically at-risk adults (of any age) who are genuinely unfit to drive, these same healthcare providers must consider strategies to decrease risk but maintain community mobility for those aging drivers with limited alternative options. In fact, O'Neill et al [4] argue there may be an overemphasis on older driver safety. With the safety of vehicles increasing and crash rates for older drivers decreasing [9], practitioners must balance the risk of a crash, which is relatively rare [10], with the over-restriction of older adults that may cause a decrease in life-space mobility and quality of life.…”

Inclusion of medical fitness to drive in medical postgraduate training curricula

“…This may in part relate to the findings of our study that that most trainees in the British Isles do not receive an adequate level of training regarding MFTD at either core or higher specialty medical training levels. We would recommend that education on MFTD be included routinely in all postgraduate medical curricula with an appropriate emphasis on rehabilitation and enabling continued driving, barriers to continued safe driving (28) and alternative transport options for those who can no longer drive. This might usefully incorporate in core/basic specialist training the principles of assessment and management for common conditions, as well as familiarization with national guidelines, driving assessment resources and relevant legislation.…”