Transport resources, mobility and unmet transport needs in old age

Abstract

Previous research has shown that mobility and the ability to leave the home are among the essential aspects of older people's quality of life. However, surveys of older people's access to transport resources and the impact of mobility on welfare and wellbeing are few. Many previous studies are based on small samples or qualitative data. The questions addressed in this paper are how transport resources are distributed among different groups of older people, to which degree the transport needs of these groups are met and how this is related to their wellbeing. The empirical analysis is based on a Norwegian nationwide survey among 4,723 respondents 65 years and older. The respondents were asked about their access to transport resources, both private and public, health problems connected to use of transport modes, their daily activities and mobility, their uncovered transport needs and the importance of different activities for their life quality. The analysis reveals great differences between groups; especially between men and women, but also between different age groups and by different place of living. The special transport offered by the local authorities is seen as insufficient, and with increasing age a great deal of older people have low mobility and an uncovered transport need that reduces their life quality.

Older People's Mobility: Segments, Factors, Trends

“…With regard to met and unmet activities, results are less clear: Haustein (2012) showed that car availability was related to the number of leisure activities even when controlling for relevant background variables, while this was not the case in a study by Scheiner (2006), who additionally found no significant relation to the existence of unmet leisure needs or to leisure satisfaction. By contrast, two more recent studies demonstrated a significant effect of not having a driving licence or a car on unfulfilled mobility needs, though controlling for similar factors as did Scheiner Hjorthol, 2013). Differences may be partly explained by different levels of car dependency in the study areas, which makes the car more or less essential for fulfilling older people's mobility needs.…”

“…This has been interpreted as indicating a gender-related disadvantage in mobility, which is further supported by findings showing that older women depend more on others for their personal travel needs (Siren & Hakamies-Blomqvist, 2006), are more affected by loss of a spouse with regard to unfulfilled travel needs (Ahern & Hine, 2012) and experience more unmet travel needs than men (Hjorthol, 2013;Scheiner, 2006;.…”

“…Older women are also more likely to give up driving prematurely; that is, when they are still fit to drive (e.g., Bauer, Adler, Kuskowski, & Rottunda, 2003;Hjorthol, 2013;Siren, Hakamies-Blomqvist, & Lindeman, 2004;Siren & Haustein, 2014b;Transek, 2005).…”

“…With regard to unfulfilled mobility needs, studies from Finland and Norway (Hjorthol, 2013) found stronger effects of the settlement structure than studies from Denmark and Germany (Scheiner, 2006). This indicates that in countries with higher population density, "rural" has a different quality and effect than in low density countries.…”

“…The participation in social and productive activities contributes to older people's health, cognitive functioning, and well-being (Engelhardt, Buber, Skirbekk, & Prskawetz, 2010;Menec, 2003;Scheiner, 2004;Siegrist & Wahrendorf, 2009), while health restrictions reduce older people's activity frequency (e.g., Scheiner, 2006;Smith & Sylvestre, 2001) and increased their unfulfilled activity wishes Hjorthol, 2013;Scheiner, 2006). The subjective health status and feelings of control (mastery, selfefficacy) appear to be more relevant for the fulfilment of activity wishes than the "objective" health state, measured for example by specific physical symptoms Mandl et al, 2013).…”