Transportation
Background
Our reliance on transportation systems has grown over the years as populations have shifted from the city to more remote suburban areas. Limiting transportation among any population diminishes quality of life by decreasing personal independence, access, choice and opportunities, which can lead to social isolation.
Driving is important for the mobility of older adults with almost 90 percent of the population relying on private automobiles for their transportation needs.
As stated in the Older Americans Act, older adults should have "efficient community services, including access to low-cost transportation, which provide choice in supported living arrangements and social assistance in a coordinated manner, which are readily available when needed, with emphasis on maintaining a continuum of care for vulnerable older adults." Similarly, the Vision for an Aging Texas includes a statement that older people should have the opportunity for comprehensive community-based services including coordinated social assistance and transportation.
An ideal transportation system for older adults is one that should enable safe driving as late in life as possible, and offer convenient transportation options when driving is not feasible. Thus, transportation issues cross multiple domains:
- the infrastructure (e.g., highways, signs, signals) that allows current drivers to move through the community in a safe and accessible manner;
- the driver's ability to safely operate a vehicle (e.g., visual, physical function); and
- the non-drivers' ability to gain access to essential services (e.g., shopping, medical appointments) and maintain social contacts.
Updated: November 2, 2007
