Some cognitive interventions transfer to maintained driving among those at-risk for mobility declines due to cognitive impairment. Future research should identify moderators and mediators of training and transfer effects.
This article provides a description of salient themes that emerged from an investigation examining perceptions of leisure engagement by older adults who attend senior centers. A qualitative study initially using four focus groups was conducted with 34 older adults (ages 64-95, M = 78.24, SD = 8.24), including 27 women. As a follow-up, participants from the original focus groups and demographically similar older adults attended five focus groups that were used as member check events. Data were generated from the original four focus groups and five member check sessions totalling nine focus groups. Eighteen themes emerged to create the foundation for a framework based on selfdetermination theory that provides insight into the complex experiences described by senior center users. Although challenges associated with aging threaten the ability of older adults to meet their self-determination needs, they develop adaptation strategies to overcome these difficulties and achieve autonomy, competence, and relatedness.
Objectives
To examine time-varying correlations between multiple indices of physical
function and driving mobility in older adults across five years.
Design
Longitudinal
Participants
Older drivers aged 65-91 (M = 73.6 ± 5.78) who
were randomly assigned to the no-contact control arm of the Advanced Cognitive Training
for Independent and Vital Elderly study (N = 598).
Measurements
The driving mobility outcomes were self-reported driving space, driving
exposure, driving frequency, and weekly mileage assessed at baseline, and first, second,
third, and fifth follow-up visits. Physical functioning measures included grip strength,
the Turn360 test, and self-reported physical function. Multilevel models examined
relationships between changes in physical functioning and driving mobility outcomes over
five years.
Results
Driving space and driving frequency decreased over time, especially for older
individuals. Changes in physical function were positively related to changes in driving
mobility after controlling for demographics, attrition, baseline cognitive function and
visual acuity, and changes in general health. Patterns of associations varied depending
on the specific physical function measure and mobility outcome.
Conclusions
The findings highlight the time-varying nature of the relationships between
physical functioning and driving mobility. Further research is needed to fully
understand dynamic associations between driving mobility and key components of mobility
that vary over time.
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