Search

There is a lack of research on whether participating in productive aging (PA) activities affects driving among older adults and each PA activity's independent effect on driving. This study aims to assess how PA activities affect driving frequency using the social ecological model. Ordinal regression was used to analyze data from the National Health and Aging Trends Study (n = 4655). We examined whether participation in PA activities and perceived importance of PA activity participation were related to driving frequency. Higher driving frequency was observed among older adults who worked for pay, provided care, visited friends and family, went out for enjoyment, and had higher perceived importance of PA activity participation. Alternative transportation services and programs could be implemented to ensure safety, mobility, and PA participation as the population continues to age. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• More driving retirement planning was related to higher driving stress. • More driving retirement planning was related to less driving confidence. • A more positive view of driving alternatives predicted increased planning. • Lower income and Black (compared to White) race were related to more planning. • Driving enjoyment and concerning driving events were not related to planning. Most older adults will eventually stop driving, but few engage in planning for driving retirement. This study assessed whether driving stress, enjoyment, confidence, concerning driving events, and assessment of driving alternatives influence planning. Demographic factors were also included. Data were collected via a mailed transportation survey, with a final sample of 551 older adults who currently drive. Linear regression analyses revealed that more driving retirement planning was associated with greater driving stress, less driving confidence, and a more positive view of driving alternatives. Driving enjoyment and recent concerning driving events were not significantly related. Among the control variables, race and income were significantly related to planning, suggesting that lower income and identifying as Black race were associated with more planning. Gender only approached significance, suggesting that females may plan more than males. Overall, these findings suggest that more driving retirement planning is warranted. Some of the groups known to be at increased risk for driving reduction and cessation plan more for that eventuality than their counterparts. Implications of the study and suggestions for future research are discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background and Objectives Older adults can expect to live between 6 and 10 years after they give up driving, but driving reduction and cessation (DRC) are not equally experienced by all groups. Individual characteristics such as poor health, impaired vision, older age, and female gender are known to affect DRC. Using cumulative disadvantage theory as a guide, this study assessed the role played by wealth in DRC among older adults. Research Design and Methods Data from the National Health and Aging Trends Study were analyzed using multinomial logistic regression techniques. This allowed for the effect of each predictor on the odds of engagement in a given driving status (full driving, driving reduction [DR], and driving cessation [DC]) to be compared to each of the others. Results The final sample included 6,387 participants. After controlling for the effect of covariates, less wealth was associated with higher odds of DR compared to full driving, DC compared to full driving, and DC compared to DR. Confirming previous research, several other factors were also significantly related to driving status including age, health, vision, gender, race, education, relationship status, household size, and work status. Discussion and Implications The influence of wealth on driving status among older adults represents another disadvantage unequally distributed to some in older adulthood. Those with less wealth will have fewer resources to meet their mobility needs using alternatives and may already be facing additional financial constraints due to worse health and other challenges associated with lower socioeconomic status. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]