Implementing Transportation Planning With Older Adults After Driving Cessation: Observing Community Mobility, Social Participation, and Quality of Life

Abstract

Purpose: This study explored potential best practices in transportation planning and the influence of transportation planning on older adults who are facing driving retirement, specifically in supporting social participation and quality of life and the impact on community mobility. Design: A descriptive case series investigated methods for implementing transportation plans and identifying related barriers, along with facilitatory and inhibitory factors associated with community mobility for three older adults who received the recommendation to cease driving. Data was collected during transportation planning sessions and through pre and post assessments regarding social participation, quality of life, and community mobility. Methods: Participants engaged in three intervention sessions to create and implement an individualized transportation plan based on their habits, needs, and supports. Results: Overall, minimal change was noted on the pretest and posttest assessments measuring social participation, quality of life, and community mobility. The data does not demonstrate a consistent increase or decrease in any outcome measure. Strategies for implementing transportation planning include considering differences among participants and conducting sessions in person. Barriers to implementing transportation plans include negative attitudes and emotions, limited transportation alternatives, decreased insight to deficits, and distractions from the transportation planning process. Factors that facilitate community mobility were identified, including access to a large support network and receiving rides from friends and family. Inhibitory factors for community mobility include reluctance to ask others, living in rural areas, and impaired physical mobility. Conclusion: Meaningful trends and perspectives of older adults were identified as they transitioned to a stage in their life in which they are no longer driving. Influential factors on transportation planning observed in this case series appear to be highly individualized. Further research is indicated to more closely examine the relationship between transportation planning and social participation, quality of life, and community mobility.