Older people and transport: coping without a car

Abstract

Much of the literature on ageing and transport has been concerned with older drivers, which underlines the importance of private transport in their everyday lives, but little has been written about how a lack of transport impacts on quality of life. A survey was commissioned by the Office for Senior Citizens of the New Zealand government, and face-to-face semi-structured interviews were conducted in 2004 with 28 couples and 43 single people (14 men and 29 women). The sample was identified through Volunteer Community Co-ordinators (VCCs) and drawn from metropolitan, urban, small-town and rural areas. The average age of the men was 84.5 years and of the women 81.4 years, and all had been without private transport for at least six months. The interviews sought the experiences and opinions of older people who were ' coping without a car ', and asked how this affected their lifestyle and quality of life, and how they met their transport needs. The findings reveal variations by gender, health status and personal outlook, including views on independence and reciprocity. While 'serious' transport requirements may be provided for by alternative means, the 'discretionary ' trips that contribute significantly to the quality of life may be lost when private transport is unavailable. The findings have implications for local and national policy and planning, extend well beyond the sphere of transport, and illuminate processes of social exclusion among older people.KEY WORDS -older people, transport, quality of life, social exclusion.

Examining the process of driving cessation in later life

“…On a more positive note though, giving up the car had allowed some of these individuals to explore new places with friends and family that they did not go to when they were driving themselves. This was especially true in terms of what traditionally might be termed non-essential travel, to visit nature, just to see places and enjoy being out (see also Davey 2007 andHaddad 2010b).…”

The Oldest Old and the Risk of Social Exclusion

“…The prevalence of physical disabilities that make it difficult to use public transport is highest among people aged 85-and-over (DTLR, 2001). Aside from being less likely than younger people to hold a driving licence, own a car or use public transport, the oldest old are more likely to distinguish between 'essential' (such as medical appointments) and 'discretionary' travel (Davey, 2007), typically focusing their car use on the former, and reducing, or ceasing, the latter.…”

“…Nevertheless, the number of older people with disabilities receiving care from a spouse/partner is still projected to increase by over 90 per cent during 2007-2032(Pickard, 2015. Demand for unpaid care from adult children for older people with disabilities in England is expected to exceed supply by 2017 (House of Lords, 2013), and a projected rise in childlessness among older people in Britain, coupled with rising economic activity rates for middleaged women (Pickard et al, 2007), may lead to less available support from younger family members.…”

‘Once I became a pensioner I became a nobody – a non-entity’: The story of one woman’s experience of the health care system

“…Furthermore, many older people without their own transport feel uncomfortable about accepting offers of transportation, especially when they cannot reciprocate (Davey, 2007). This unwillingness to be a burden on, or beholden to friends and family often results in fewer acceptances of lifts and consequently fewer social interactions thus potentiating the development social isolation:…”