The impact of transportation support on driving cessation among community-dwelling older adults

Abstract

Objectives. This study longitudinally examines the impact of transportation support on driving cessation among community-dwelling older adults residing in retirement communities. Method. Data came from 3 waves of the Florida Retirement Study (1990-1992), a population-based cohort study. Analysis was limited to participants who drove at baseline and were reinterviewed in 1992 (N = 636). Transportation support from a spouse, family members, friends/neighbors, agencies/organizations (e.g., church), or hired assistants was included. Discrete-time multivariate hazard models were estimated to examine the impact of transportation support on driving cessation while controlling for demographic and health characteristics. Results. Participants were more likely to stop driving if they had received at least some transportation support from friends/neighbors (Hazard Ratio = 2.49, p =. 001) as compared with those with little or no support. Transportation support from organizations/agencies or hired assistants was also significantly associated with the likelihood of driving cessation, but only a small number of participants reported to have received such support. Receiving some or more transportation support from a spouse or family members did not have a statistically significant relationship with driving cessation. Discussion. The findings suggest that available nonkin transportation support, particularly support from peer friends, plays an important role in driving cessation for older adults living in retirement communities. © The Author 2011.